Gilas experience against Japan a big help for B.League-bound Matthew Wright

Kyoto Hannaryz Filipino import Matthew Wright credited his Gilas Pilipinas experience as a big help in his upcoming season in the Japan B.League.

For the former Phoenix Fuel Masters star, their Gilas games against Japan gave him a glimpse of Japanese-style basketball.

"I was lucky to be a part of the Gilas organization. My first game, I believe, was against Japan when I was in the Under-18 team, that was my first international game," Wright said on Thursday in a press conference.

"Maybe it was telling, foreshadowing in the future to eventually play in Japan. but being able to play international basketball was huge for me."

For Wright, the international games he played made him view basketball from a different perspective.

"It opened my eyes and made me view the sport of basketball differently. The way that it is amazing to see that basketball is played differently in each country. Every country has its own unique style. Japan has its own unique style as well," said Wright.

"Playing against Japan a few times recently, in Tokyo, 2018, I believe when we came here and seeing first hand the Japanese players, how quick they were, how intense defensively they were, and how great shooters they were. All of those things are gonna prepare me for playing against these Japanese players in the B.League," he added.

Wright said experience is the best teacher for his upcoming stint with Kyoto.

"You can't get that kind of experience [by] just watching games. You have to feel it, you have to see it yourself, guarding them physically. I think that's the best way to adjust and see what kind of competition you're gonna get in Japan," he said.

The B.League season will open on September 29.

—MGP, GMA News