AMONG the two four-point game-winning shots of his PBA career, the latest one that he calmly sank on Saturday might go down as the toughest for Scotty Hopson.
The Converge import called game when he knocked down the four from the right wing with 2.5 seconds left, giving the FiberXers a 100-99 win over Terrafirma.
The shot was very similar to the one he knocked down last August 27 when he also drilled the marginal four from the right side that handed Converge a 96-95 victory over TNT.
READ: Hopson to the rescue once more as Converge escapes Terrafirma
The victory gave Converge a much-needed shot in the arm in their bid for the playoffs as it improved to 4-4 in Group A, one game behind NorthPort (3-5). The top four teams in each of the two groups will move to the quarterfinals.
For this game-winner, however, the 35-year-old Hopson made the shot despite dealing with an injury.
“I’m basically playing on one leg right now,” said Hopson. “I’m glad we don’t have a game until Wednesday. I get some time off to rest my leg, rest my body.”
“It started off as a hip flexor. Like a pull,” said Hopson in describing his injury. “It’s moving down to my quad now and I’m not able to explode the way I want to. Obviously, I’m an explosive player and I like to play fast, get to my spots. And it’s hindering me right now.”
Hopson said the play, just like in the TNT, was drawn up for him to make another four-point winner with Converge down, 99-96, with 6.6 seconds to work with.
“Coach Charles (Tiu) drew up the play for me. They all trust me to get in those position to make a shot or at least take a shot. I was confident from the jump, obviously. As soon as we called the play, I kinda just got in character, got in my mood and block everything out.”
“I got to a spot, I elevate, and raise, got a little glimpse of the rim and just let it fly, and it went in,” said Hopson.
Converge coach Franco Atienza hailed Hopson for his game-winning shot amidst his health situation.
“Approaching the game, you would have that distractions. But during gametime and more so, winning time, these players, kahit may injury ‘to, may iniinda ‘to, nawawala na ‘yun. That’s how tough they are,” said Atienza.
“At some point, that last seconds when he took the shot, I assure you, he didn’t feel any pain doon. Maganda ang mechanics niya. It was a good attempt for him, and he believed it even before getting that shot that he will make that shot,” said Atienza.
Hopson said they were fortunate to be able to pull the win off after being down by as many as 14 points, and essaying another come-from-behind win.
“It was actually an ugly game for us. We really didn’t play well offensively. I’m happy we got the win and I’m happy I had another chance to make a four-point shot,” said Hopson.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
