CONVERGE coach Franco Atienza said the four-point shot was the team's first and only option in the final offensive play of their gritty win over TNT on Tuesday in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
The FiberXers went down in the record books as the first team to win a game on a four-point shot after Scotty Hopson buried his attempt from beyond the 27-foot arc in the 96-95 win.
“Without the four-point line, we are going to overtime. I don’t know our chances in the overtime,” said Atienza.
COLUMN: Was TNT trying to foul before Hopson's four-point winner?
Atienza said the play was exactly what was drawn up during the time out, with the four as the main and only option.
“It was that one, go for the kill,” said Atienza, on whether there was still other options for the team during that final seconds. “It’s just nice that it’s available for us.”
Hopson’s heroics completed Converge’s comeback from 16 points down, claiming its second win in three outings. It was TNT’s first defeat after a 2-0 start.
“We just grinded it out, did what we do best, and just have us a chance to win the game. It’s what’s most important and drop it into a toss coin. We want that chance in the endgame,” said Atienza.
The 35-year-old Hopson said he took the four without any hesitation, with the former NBA player having a lot of experiences in taking the final shot.
“Situations like that, I get real calm and I get real confident and just let my instincts take over. I’ve made shots like that my whole career in terms of game-winners. This is just another one that went in. All glory to God that the shot went in. Thank God I put those hours in by myself,” said Hopson.
Hopson was all smiles when reminded by Atienza that his name will be in the PBA record books forever by hitting the historic four-point winner.
“In the record books, you are the first one to do it for a game-winner,” Atienza told Hopson. “That’s a nice innovation. Might as well use it. Its available, you use it.”
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