MATTHEW Wright waxed hot at the right moment, leading Phoenix Super LPG to a hard-earned 103-100 squeaker over Terrafirma yesterday at the start of their campaign in the PBA Governors Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
After making just two of 10 shots from the field in the first three quarters, the Fil-Canadian gunner finally found his rhythm and went 5-of-10 in the final frame for 13 of his 17 points that went well with his game-high 10 assists.
Wright later said the way his team battled through its early struggles against a vastly improved opponent that led by as much as 67-50 in the third quarter and by 90-77 with 7:41 to go is a testament to how much it has matured as a unit.
“Coach Topex (Robinson), he just kept telling us to battle through it,” stated Wright.
“Terrafirma’s a good team. They made a lot of improvements on their roster, they have some championship pedigree. So, they’re not the same Terrafirma of the past.
“They came out and surprised us a little bit. But we were able to just lock down defensively. That was it, just play defense, there’s no secret to it, just staying positive.”
Robinson echoed Wright’s statements. “We just kept on playing,” he said.
“We just kept on grinding it with them. We just don’t want to give up. Like what Matt said, just keep on playing, take chances. I guess we just went down to our defense and defense really helped our offense.”
Indeed, Terrafirma began to sink just as Phoenix and Wright started their rise, going just 7-of-15 from the field in the fourth quarter compared to the Fuel Masters’ 13-of-26 clip.
Worse, the Dyip committed eight of their 25 turnovers in the period that their foes converted into 15 points.
Jason Perkins was chief backstop for Wright with half of his 18 points while Paul Harris laced his 24-point, 15-rebound debut for his latest PBA team with charities that helped keep Terrafirma at bay 102-98.
The Dyip, who enjoyed as much as a 17-point third quarter lead, didn’t give up so easily and had the chance to at least inch closer after Alex Cabagnot’s drive made it a two-point game and Perkins muffed two freebies of his own, still 6.5 ticks left.
But Antonio Hester, after snaring the rebound off Perkins’ second miss, issued a quick pass that bounced off Cabagnot and out of the sideline that fully dashed Terrafirma’s hopes.
Harris’ charity split iced the count.
Antonio Hester finished with game-highs of 28 points and 16 rebounds but was limited to just six points in the final period. Juami Tiongson added 20 points and Cabagnot, acquired from San Miguel Beer last month, chipped in 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists but committed seven turnovers.
Chris Banchero also scored 18 points, the bulk coming in the first three quarters that helped keep Phoenix within striking distance.
