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Tag: Matthew Wright

  • Matthew Wright leaves door open for PBA return during homecoming visit 

    Matthew Wright leaves door open for PBA return during homecoming visit 

    Matthew Wright may currently be focused on a new chapter in Japan, but the PBA still feels like home.

     

    The veteran guard made an unexpected appearance at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, giving Philippine basketball fans a glimpse of a familiar face as he stopped by the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup.

     

    While many wondered if the visit hinted at an immediate comeback, Wright made it clear that his priorities remain with Strong Group Athletics and his newly signed B.League club, the Saitama Broncos. Still, he admitted that returning to the PBA is far from being off the table.

     

    The former Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters standout spent much of his visit catching up with former teammates, Gilas Pilipinas players, coaches, and friends he built relationships with during his six-year PBA career.

     

     

    “It’s good to see the guys. I have a lot of friends still in the PBA,” Wright told One Sports. “It’s good to see them playing well, doing well and catching up with their families.”

     

    “I haven’t forgot about them, I was here for six years so you develop a lot of friendships.”

     

    Rather than suiting up in the Governors’ Cup, Wright is back in the Philippines for another opportunity to wear the country’s colors as he joins Strong Group Athletics in its bid to defend the William Jones Cup title in Taiwan.

     

    The tournament also marks his first stint with the powerhouse club despite having represented the Philippines on multiple occasions in international competitions.

     

    “This is my first time playing for SGA,” says Wright. “Obviously it’s not my first time representing the Philippines but that’s always a big deal for me. That’s an easy sell no matter what.”

     

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    Wright also revealed that his participation came with the full support of the Saitama Broncos after recently signing with the B.League Division One franchise.

     

    Although he remains committed to completing his contract in Japan, the 34-year-old acknowledged that Philippine basketball continues to hold a special place in his career and personal life.

     

    “I’m under contract in Japan. I signed for a year so after that year… who knows? Anything can happen.”

     

    “PBA is never too far away from my side. It’s close to home, I have a family here, I still have property here, I have business here so it’s always a possibility to come back.”

     

    For now, Wright’s attention shifts to helping Strong Group Athletics chase a third consecutive William Jones Cup championship. But his brief homecoming served as a reminder that while his career has taken him overseas once again, the possibility of another PBA chapter remains very much alive.

     

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  • Matthew Wright returns as Strong Group loads up for Jones Cup three-peat bid 

    Matthew Wright returns as Strong Group loads up for Jones Cup three-peat bid 

    Matthew Wright’s return to Philippine basketball will come with championship expectations.

    The veteran wing is set to wear the colors of Strong Group Pilipinas after being named one of the team’s newest reinforcements for the 45th William Jones Cup, strengthening an already loaded roster determined to defend its crown in Taiwan.

     

    Wright headlines a three-man boost that also includes versatile forward William Navarro and rising swingman Shaun Ildefonso as Strong Group intensifies preparations for the August 8 to 23 tournament at the New Taipei City Xinzhuang Gymnasium.

     

    Although Wright recently signed with B.LEAGUE Division One club Saitama, the former PBA standout will make a brief return to the Philippine basketball scene after last representing Gilas Pilipinas in its gold medal-winning campaign at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games.

     

    His arrival also marks a long-awaited reunion with Strong Group head coach Charles Tiu, who has been eager to coach Wright again after nearly a decade.

     

    “I’ve been trying to recruit Matt to play for me again in Phoenix, but it just hasn’t worked out,” Tiu said. “I’m glad to finally get the chance to coach him again. It’s been almost 10 years since we last worked together, even before he joined the PBA.”

     

    Tiu believes Wright’s veteran presence and perimeter shooting will be valuable assets as Strong Group chases another international title.

     

    “I always want a veteran on my team. Matt can still play at a high level and is a great shooter for us. You can never have too many shooters, so we’re really looking forward to working with him again.”

     

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    Strong Group president Jacob Lao also highlighted the importance of adding experienced international campaigners like Wright and Navarro.

     

    “Matthew and William have both competed internationally, and that experience is something that will really help our team as we go for another Jones Cup championship,” Lao said.

     

    Navarro joins the squad after completing his stint with Busan KCC in the Korean Basketball League, where he gained valuable overseas experience. The 6-foot-6 forward is expected to provide versatility on both ends while working toward a return to the PBA.

     

    “We’ve been trying to get William to join our team for a while now, so it’s nice to finally make it happen,” Tiu said. “We’re hoping he can get back to playing at a high level after his stint in Korea and gradually work his way back to the PBA.”

     

    Meanwhile, Shaun Ildefonso earns an opportunity to showcase his game on the international stage following an impressive MPBL campaign with the Abra Weavers, where he has averaged 9.0 points and 6.2 rebounds. The tournament will also allow him to suit up alongside younger brother Dave Ildefonso for the first time in Strong Group colors.

     

    “We expect him to bring a lot of energy, and he can be a lockdown defender for us,” Tiu said.

    The three newcomers join a formidable lineup featuring NBA veteran Boban Marjanovic, Angelo Kouame, DJ Fenner, Tajuan Agee, Allen Liwag, Titing Manalili, and Dave Ildefonso.

     

    Strong Group enters this year’s William Jones Cup with history on the line after winning the last two editions. Drawn alongside Chinese Taipei Blue, Korea, and Japan, the defending champions are aiming to become the first team since Iran (2009-2011) to capture three consecutive Jones Cup titles.

     

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  • Matthew Wright returns to Japan, signs with Saitama Broncos for 2026-27 B.League season

    Matthew Wright returns to Japan, signs with Saitama Broncos for 2026-27 B.League season

    After stepping away from professional basketball for a year, the Filipino-Canadian guard  Matthew Wright is set to resume his overseas career after signing with the Saitama Broncos for the 2026-27 Japan B.League season.


    The Broncos officially announced Wright’s arrival on Wednesday, bringing the former Gilas Pilipinas standout back to Japan, where he has already built a reputation as one of the league’s reliable veteran guards.

     

    For Wright, the move represents both a fresh start and a continuation of a career that has steadily grown beyond Philippine basketball.

     

    “My family and I cannot wait to embrace the city of Saitama and the Broncos organization,” said Wright.

     

    “I’m looking forward to coming back to Japan and making an immediate impact for the team. Thank you for this opportunity to showcase my talents on the basketball court.”

     

    The upcoming campaign will mark Wright’s fourth season in Japan. He first joined the B.League in 2022 after ending a six-year stint with Phoenix in the PBA, signing with the Kyoto Hannaryz, where he played from the 2022-23 through the 2023-24 seasons.

     

    He later moved to the Kawasaki Brave Thunders for the 2024-25 campaign, averaging 10.4 points, 2.6 assists, and 2.5 rebounds per game before putting basketball on hold to focus on family.

     

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    Although he stepped away from the professional game, Wright still answered the call for the national team during his hiatus. 

     

    He made his lone competitive appearance with Gilas Pilipinas Men, helping the Philippines capture the gold medal at the 34th Southeast Asian Games.

     

    Now back on the hardwood, Wright joins a Saitama squad looking to build on an impressive campaign.

     

    The Broncos compiled a 39-13 record last season to finish third in the B3 division, earning promotion following the B.League’s league restructuring.

     

    Beginning in the 2026-27 season, Saitama will compete in B.One, the league’s newly established second-tier division behind B.Premier, giving Wright the opportunity to contribute to the club’s transition into a more competitive level of Japanese basketball.

     

    His arrival also provides the Broncos with an experienced backcourt presence who has competed in both the PBA and Japan’s top professional league, while representing the Philippines on the international stage.

     

    For Wright, the return is about more than simply playing basketball again. After spending the past year prioritizing family, he now resumes his career with renewed purpose, hoping to make an immediate impact as Saitama embarks on a new chapter in the restructured B.League.

     

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