Leading the Right Way: Matthew Wright's Leadership is Winning Games

  • Nov 08, 2020
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The Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters are among the biggest surprises inside the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) bubble in Clark. After losing to the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings on October 21, Phoenix is on a three-game winning streak heading into their last two games of the Philippine Cup elimination round and remains in the running for a top-two finish. While the return of Calvin Abueva played a big role in the success of the Fuel Masters, one of the biggest reasons why Phoenix is up there in the standings is Matthew Andrew Christopher Wright.

While he may have slipped down as the second-leading scorer of the league with a 24-point per game average, there's more to Matthew Wright's game than just to make it rain from the three-point line. he knows when to pass the ball especially when his shots aren't dropping. Last season, Wright was averaging four assists per game. That number rose to close to six dimes per game with him dishing out 10 assists on Thursday against the San Miguel Beermen where he was limited to 10 points on four for 11 field goal shooting. In nine games of the all-Filipino conference, Wright has already dished a grand total of 53 assists. 

More importantly, he is taking AND making more shots inside the bubble. Out of the 161 field goals he attempted, he already made 75 for a 47% field goal shooting. He's definitely making it rain from long distance as he already has 31 made threes in 79 attempts. 

In the words of Phoenix Coach Topex Robinson, “He just evolved into a different player right now. He is not about scoring"

The fact that he's the second-best passer in the league right now is already proof that Matthew Wright is making the right decisions in the game. And, he's also doing it on the defensive end as he ranks seventh in the league in steals with 1.56 steals per game. 

One thing is certain: Matthew Wright has evolved from a shooter to a multi-dimensional player and that is what winning games for Phoenix. 

Photo is from PBA