PHOENIX coach Topex Robinson knows well the team will be without Matthew Wright when the Fuel Masters launch their campaign in the PBA Commissioner's Cup.
Wright played his last game with Phoenix Saturday last week, helping the Fuel Masters snap five game-game skid with an 89-66 win over newcomer Converge.
After the match, the Fil-Canadian flew to the US for his scheduled wedding on Sunday (July 24).
It wasn't the kind of farewell Robinson would have wanted from his franchise player, but the decision is not his to make.
So last Thursday, Robinson and his charges started life without Wright. And he liked what he saw.
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The Fuel Masters may have lost their final game in the elims -- a 100-93
decision against crowd darling Barangay Ginebra -- but the young coach swears the contest provided a snapshot of the club's potential.
And nobody could blame him.
"The way we played was at least a preview," Robinson told reporters.
"I guess I could say this is post-Matthew Wright," he went on. "So much promise on this young team--which became younger now because majority of our second-round picks. There's a (good) mix of old and new guys, so I have nothing but excitement."
Jason Perkins had 17 points while Sean Anthony added 16 to lead the veteran bunch. Tyler Tio chipped in 13 points, four assists and four rebounds while Encho Serrano added seven points for the youth brigade.
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Phoenix missed the quarterfinals bus with its 3-8 win-loss record. And chances are Wright, the team's cornerstone won't return when his contract expires next month.
Teams from the Japan B. League and other foreign leagues have expressed interest in recruiting Wright. He said he is studying his options but ruled out the possibility of rejoining the team that drafted him in 2016.
But Robinson is optimistic that there will be a bevy of players who will help plug Wright's absence -- If it ever comes to that.
"Matt has been 'The Guy' for the longest time. He's been here six years. But I guess what we saw (against Ginebra)--is a bunch of guys willing to sacrifice and contribute to the team's cause," Robinson observed.
Perkins had been the steadiest for Phoenix this tournament. Anthony, meanwhile, is slowly getting back to his do-it-all form after an assortment of injuries. But more importantly, rookies Tyler and Serrano have been making immediate impact for the club.
"We're not looking for one guy. We're looking for a lot of guys who want to believe in me as a coach, us as a culture, us as a team. And again, we saw it (in the Ginebra game)," Robinson said.
"I told them we were like playing in the semifinals. I couldn't ask for more from them. I just told them to remember this day and just try to build on it," he added. (DD)
