SCOTTY Hopson made the PBA’s first game-winning four-point shot with 4.8 seconds left as Converge stunned TNT, 96-95, on Tuesday in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Hopson knocked down the shot with 4.8 seconds left, taking the shot from the right wing for the FiberXers to steal the win away from the Tropang Giga.
The FiberXers improved to 2-1, overcoming a 16-point deficit to deal the Tropang Giga their first loss after three matches.
Converge was still down by three, 95-92, after Rondae Hollis-Jefferson knocked down the game’s last four free throws, including a pair with only 9.6 seconds left in the contest.
Fiberxers coach Franco Atienza said they intended to take the four-point shot in the final possession. Hopson got enough space that he needed after a Bryan Santos screen against Glenn Khobuntin to knock down the historic game-winning shot.
“It’s good that we have someone who can shoot that long range shot and it’s available for us,” said Atienza.
Hopson finished the game with 32 points on 10-of-23 shooting from the field including nailing two out of three four-point shots. He also grabbed 10 rebounds as he helped Converge erase a 56-40 deficit in the contest.
Schonny Winston had 14 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals, while Justin Arana added 13 points and seven rebounds including back-to-back baskets to make it 86-83, the biggest lead of Converge in the contest.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 32 points, 15 rebounds, six assists, two steals, and two blocks for TNT. But the import’s drive and lay-up attempt was deflected by Hopson to end the game.
Calvin Oftana added 22 points and 10 rebounds for TNT.
The scores:
Converge 96 – Hopson 32, Winston 14, Arana 13, Racal 12, Cabagnot 10, Stockton 8, Santos 5, Delos Santos 2, Caralipio 0, Nieto 0, Andrade 0, Ambohot 0.
TNT 95 – Hollis-Jefferson 32, Oftana 22, Castro 8, Aurin 7, Khobuntin 7, Nambatac 6, Heruela 5, Erram 5, Pogoy 3, Payawal 0.
Quarters: 16-29; 40-53; 64-70; 96-95.
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