FILE–Converge FiberXers’ import Scotty Hopson during a PBA Governors’ Cup game against Terrafirma. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Primary Converge import Scotty Hopson sat out the FiberXers’ most recent win in Group A of the PBA Governors’ Cup.
With Hopson watching from the sidelines, Converge was reinforced by the services of Jaylen Jones in beating the Bolts 105-97 at Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday.
Coach Franco Atienza bared that Hopson was absent on Wednesday due to a hip injury.
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“Right now, Scotty is on the injured-reserve list so he’s day-to-day for us. We want to keep him there as an option,” said Atienza. “We’ll continue to evaluate his prognosis.”
Hopson was also in attendance during the second game, playing spectator to Ginebra and Phoenix’s clash in Group B.
Hopson revealed to the Inquirer that he is nursing a right quad strain, an injury that he had played through for the past three games.
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Hopson, though, assured that “he’ll be back” once he feels better.
Even without Hopson, the FiberXers pulled through with their temporary reinforcement as Jones finished with a game-high 32 points with 10 rebounds to match.
Jones, though, only 14 shots out of 34 attempts–the most out of any player in that game.
Atienza, however, believes Jones will only get better with tougher opponents ahead of them heading forward.
“He would be better when the competition gets tougher. He’d put his best foot forward and that’s the biggest respect he can show our opponents,” Atienza said.