Scotty Hopson only had 12 points but collared 14 rebounds, six assists and two steals in Converge FiberXers' win over NorthPort Batang Pier.
Converge import Scotty Hopson has been bothered by leg pains the past few games in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup.
FiberXers coach Franco Atienza disclosed the information in the aftermath of Converge’s 107-99 win over NorthPort on Wednesday, September 11.
Hopson has not been his usual prolific self as he finished with 14 points on a dismal 3-for-14 shooting from the field.
Atienza did not divulge any more details but said that the 35-year-old American reinforcement has been playing through the discomfort.
“If you noticed last game medyo nagli-limp sya. He has an issue with his legs,” Atienza said after the match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“He’s a vet, he’s tough as nails. He’s been playing through (the pain). We’re managing day-to-day. Though he’s better today than he was last game, but because of probably discomfort nagdi-dip numbers niya and his production.”
But while he was gun-shy, Hopson more than made up with his efforts in defense and rebounding departments, respectively.
“What he lacked in his usual scoring, he got in other departments like rebounding and playing defense,” Atienza said of the import, who also had 14 rebounds, six assists, and two steals in almost 40 minutes of play.
Atienza and the rest of the FiberXers would need Hopson to be at full strength as they make a final push for the quarterfinals.
“Right now, probably, tonight we will be happy with this win but tomorrow we will think about Terrafirma,” said Atienza, whose team improved to 3-4.
“We don’t look too much far ahead. We take it one game at a time. We cross the bridge when we get there.”