MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Basketball Association’s (PBA) first-ever game-winning four-point shot is now in the books.
This, after Converge import Scotty Hopson knocked down a tough, fadeaway four-pointer with just 3.6 seconds remaining to lift the FiberXers past the TNT Tropang Giga, 96-95, in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday, August 27.
With Converge trailing by 3, 92-95, Hopson took it upon himself and went for the difficult four-point shot over the outstretched arm of TNT’s Glenn Khobuntin from the right side of the floor to give the FiberXers a slim 96-95 edge.
The Tropang Giga still had a chance to win it all in the final possession, but Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s layup at the buzzer failed to hit the mark.
Hopson finished with a monster game of 32 points, including a 2-of-3 clip from the four-point line, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists.
“Probably this is the proof of the four-point line. Without the four-point line, we’re going to overtime and I don’t know our chances in the overtime,” said Converge interim head coach Franco Atienza.
“It’s good that we got someone who can shoot that long-range shot and it’s available for us. Because if it’s not available, there’s no way you could win that on a three-pointer,” he added.
Schonny Winston backstopped Hopson with 14 points, while Justin Arana and Kevin Racal added 13 and 12, respectively, for the FiberXers, who climbed their way back from as many as 16 points down in the second half.
Converge trailed 40-56 in the early goings of the third quarter, before tasting its first lead of the game with 2:40 to play in the final frame, 84-83, off a basket by Arana.
It was a back-and-forth shootout between both squads late in the fourth, and with Converge on top 92-91, Hollis-Jefferson calmly sank four straight charities to give the lead back to TNT, 95-92.
Luckily for the FiberXers, Hopson saved the day with the first-ever game-winning four.
Hollis-Jefferson also dropped 32 points for TNT, to go along with 15 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks.
Calvin Oftana, meanwhile, came up with his own double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds in the heartbreaking loss.
Converge improved to 2-1 in Group A, while TNT suffered its first loss in three outings.
The Scores
Converge 96 – Hopson 32, Winston 14, Arana 13, Racal 12, Cabagnot 10, Stockton 8, Santos 5, Delos Santos 2, Ambohot 0, Andrade 0, Caralipio 0, Nieto 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.
– Rappler.com