MANILA, Philippines — Phoenix rookie Matthew Wright was the best player down the stretch for the Fuel Masters as he powered them to a 94-90 come-from-behind victory against the Meralco Bolts in the PBA Philippine Cup.

After scoring only five points in the first three quarters, Wright exploded for 17 in the fourth, single-handedly outscoring the Bolts, who mustered only 15 points as a team.

Wright put Phoenix ahead, 88-87, with 1:37 to go, and after seeing Meralco's Jonathan Grey and veteran teammate Cyrus Baguio exchange triples, he drew a foul on Grey to shoot the game-clinching free throws.

Wright finished with 22 points, a new career-high, along with eight rebounds, two assists and three steals. By all accounts he was Phoenix's savior on Wednesday, yet after the game all coach Ariel Vanguardia could discuss was the rookie guard's defense.

"Sa totoo lang, sabi ko kay Matt, hindi pa rin 'yan 'yung Matthew Wright na kilala ko," said Vanguardia, who coached Wright when they were both in the Westports Malaysia Dragons in the Asean Basketball League (ABL)

(Honestly, I told Matt that he's not playing like the Matthew Wright that I know.)

"Hindi sa opensa, pero 'yung depensa niya. Talagang I'm not happy with the way he's playing defense."

(It's his defense. I'm really not happy with the way he's playing defense.)

According to Vanguardia, back in their ABL days, he didn't hesitate assigning Wright to defend opposing imports, but he has yet to see the same defensive intensity from him in the PBA.

"Buti ngayon, he came up with some big shots and he came up with some big rebounds," he said. "But marami pang ilalabas si Matt."

(Today, he came up with some big shots and he came up with some big rebounds, but I think he still has a lot more to show.)

Wright was not surprised to hear Vanguardia's criticism.

"He's very hard on me," Wright said. "Even if I do play good defense, I don't think he'll tell me. But that's completely fine."

The rookie, who was selected by Phoenix in the special draft for Gilas players, said that his lack of impact on the defensive end is because he is still adjusting to the pace of the PBA and to the way calls are being made.

"I'm still trying to adjust," he said. "It's a lot different, no hand check, it's tougher for defenders. Here the advantage is obviously with the offensive player."

But Wright is confident that once he gets the pace down and adjusts to the calls, he can become the two-way player that Vanguardia expects him to be.

"I'm still learning every day," Wright said. "Hopefully next game, I'll be able to show a better defensive effort."

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