Converge’s Scotty Hopson shoots over TNT’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in the PBA Governors’ Cup.–PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–On the edge of what looked like a second-straight loss and perhaps a wave of reminders of how terrible they could again get, Converge import Scotty Hopson cut a picture of calmness and hit a cold-blooded four-pointer with three ticks left on Tuesday night to put the game to bed and a mighty enemy away for good.
The FiberXers slipped past TNT, 96-95, to claim their second win and become the first team to fully weaponize the new rule in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
“In situations like that, I kind of just, get real calm, I get real confident and let just my instincts take over, you know,” said the American import, who finished the game with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists to help the club fashion a gutsy win over the defending conference champions at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“I’ve made shots like that in my career in terms of game-winners, so this was just another one that went in,” he added. “Thank God I put those hours in by myself when I’m alone in a court, counting down ‘5, 4, 3, 2, 1…’”
READ: PBA: Alex Cabagnot feels so much younger at Converge camp
Hopson helped cap Converge’s rally from 16 points down, which ultimately snapped the TNT’s perfect start to the conference where it is the defending champion.
And naturally, interim head coach Franco Atienza couldn’t be happier.
“I told this before (during the Media Day). It’s a learning curve,” he said of Converge’s bid to move from being the league’s doormat to a contender. “And how do you shorten that? By bringing veteran guys. We got Scotty, we got Alex (Cabagnot).”
“It’s only our third game, we’re 2-1, but It’s too early. Somehow we surpassed our first conference standing and we tied our second conference standing. We don’t want to be contended. We’re taking it one game at a time. this win stays tonight. Tomorrow we prepare for NorthPort. But being able to grind out something like this, against a tough team, gives you a bit of confidence,” he went on.
READ: PBA: Veteran poise helps Magnolia stave off late Converge rally
Schonny Winston finished with 14 points and seven rebounds while Justine Arana, Kevin Racal, and Cabagnot all chipped in double-digit scores for the young telco club.
Resident import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 32 points and 15 rebounds, while Calvin Oftana chipped in 22 and 10 for the Tropang Giga.
Converge looked like it was going to regress to its hapless self trailing TNT for most of the night. It was only until a Schonny Winston triple with 1:23 remaining that the FiberXers eased out front.
A flurry of baskets between Hollis-Jefferson, Cabagnot, and ultimately Hopson capped off an interesting duel was captured only half of the interesting developments around the league Tuesday.
Commissioner Willie Marcial said he has spoken to Converge assistant Danny Ildefonso about a Facebook page bearing his name that replied to a media story about his son Dave’s dragging contract talks with NorthPort.
READ: PBA: Dave Ildefonso yet to sign contract with NorthPort
The league chief said the two-time Most Valuable Player has been fined P20,000 for comments detrimental to the league.
“We talked after the game, and I asked him what happened. He said he was just overcome by emotions seeing all the comments netizens have hurled towards his son,” Marcial told reporters in Filipino in a makeshift press briefing after the first game.
The younger Ildefonso, selected 5th overall during the last Rookie Draft, has yet to sign with the Batang Pier. He is the last remaining first-round pick yet to reach an agreement with his mother club.
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Jordan Heading was the last player to suit up for the original team that drafted him. The Filipino-Aussie guard was selected first overall by Terrafirma in the special round of the 2020 Rookie Draft geared towards replenishing the talent pool of the Gilas program. He is currently plying his trade in a semipro league in South Australia, his playing rights perpetually held by the Dyip.
