By Jonas Terrado
The Phoenix Fuel Masters signed Matthew Wright to a three-year contract extension worth P15.1 million more than a week before the PBA opens its 44th season on Jan. 13 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
Team manager Paolo Bugia said Wright, who inked on the dotted line on Thursday, was given a fresh deal with still one-year left on his current contract which he signed after being taken by the Fuel Masters in the 2016 Rookie Draft.
Wright, who was joined by agent Marvin Espiritu when the contract was finalized, will receive a maximum monthly salary of R420,000.
“We decided to give him an extension this early so that he can put his focus solely on basketball,” Bugia said.
The national team mainstay earned the richest contract allowable by the league after coming off a strong sophomore season that saw Wright average 17.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.4 steals in 35 games.
Signing Wright was part of a busy offseason for the Fuel Masters, who also signed Alex Mallari to an extension after being acquired from NLEX in a trade that included the fourth pick in last month’s draft.
The Fuel Masters also gave a one-year contract to rookie Jorey Napoles, the unheralded Technological Institute of the Philippines star who was selected 11th overall.
Former Far Eastern University guard Ron Dennison was also signed to a rookie deal as Phoenix hopes to shore up its depth and build on its near-semifinal appearance in last season’s Governors’ Cup.
Phoenix is eager to bounce back after losing to Meralco in the quarterfinals despite a twice-to-beat advantage.
Coach Louie Alas held a two practices yesterday as the Fuel Masters resumed their preparation for the upcoming season at the Upper Deck Sports Center in Ortigas.
