Wright to go it alone now

Matthew Wright could not thank Jeff Chan enough after his mentor’s trade to Ginebra San Miguel from Phoenix in the middle of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup.

With Phoenix for less than a year, veteran shooter Chan was sent to the Gin Kings in exchange for a 2018 first round pick, signaling an end to the deadly Fuel Masters wing combo in Wright and Chan.

“When he came last year, he helped me with my game. Being a former Gilas player, he helped me elevate my game. I just tried to emulate some of things I saw from him,” the sophomore Wright told Daily Tribune after the Gilas practice on Monday night.

“That part of him I will miss, leading by example,” Wright said.

Chan, joined Phoenix from Rain or Shine last August in place of Mark Borboran and a 2020 second round pick.

Under his tutelage, then rookie Wright made the all-rookie and national teams, like Chan was in the past.

With Chan gone, Wright said he could only focus on the upside of an even bigger challenge for him and the rest of Fuel Masters to fill the huge hole left by his veteran mentor, who averages 11.56 points 4.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists this conference.

“We can’t replace Jeff. What he does is so unique but we can’t really dwell on the negatives. I’m trying to find the silver lining. Everyone else needs to step up,” said Wright.

Now averaging 21.33 points, 5.33 rebounds and 5.22 assists per game, Wright is banking on Chan’s parting words for his mantra for the rest of his career.

“He just told me to be a leader. I need to try to lead these guys even though I’m still young. He said I need to lead by example,” he said.