December 25, 2024

PBA: Scotty Hopson hits 4-point game-winner as Converge stuns champion TNT

PBA: Scotty Hopson hits 4-point game-winner as Converge stuns champion TNT
Scotty Hopson dropped a 30-10 double-double in Converge's stunning comeback over defending champion TNT | Photo (c) PBA

Scotty  Hopson called game.

Hopson made PBA history Tuesday, becoming the first player to drill a game-winning four point shot.

Scotty’s clutch basket with 3.6 seconds to go allowed the Converge FiberXers to stun defending PBA Governors’ Cup champion TNT at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, 96-95.

After Rondae Hollis-Jefferson put TNT ahead 95-92 with 9.6 seconds left, Hopson launched a clutch four-pointer to push the FiberXers towards victory.

TNT has one last chance to win the game but Hollis-Jefferson’s final attempt was smothered by Hopson.

Converge had to erase a 16-point deficit to secure this win, which allowed the FiberXers to rise to a 2-1 record in the Group A standings, the same mark as the Tropang Giga.

Hopson finished 32 points, including 22 in the second half, with 10 rebounds and five assists.

He scored on a putback to tie the game at 75-all with 7:12 left in regulation. But back-to-back triples from Glenn Khobuntin and Rey Nambatac restored a bit of order for TNT.

However, Converge would simply not be denied and would rally back, with Justin Arana giving the FiberXers a three-point lead late.

Calvin Oftana responded for the Tropang Gigia, hitting a timely corner triple followed by a breakaway lay up for an 88-86 TNT lead.

In a back-and-forth finish, Schonny Winston answered back with a three-pointer of his own to put Converge up 89-88, only for RHJ to fire his own trey to put TNT back on top, 91-89, with 46 seconds left.

This all set up the final seconds, where Hopson shined with his history-making shot.

RHJ led TNT with 32 markers, 15 rebounds, and six dimes, while Calvin Oftana aded 22 points. Four locals finished in double figures for Converge after Hopson, with Winston and Arana contributing 14 and 13 points, respectively.

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