There’s no question that Cam Clark has provided much-needed stability to a San Miguel side that struggled with imports in the past conferences.
Looking at the last PBA Commissioner’s Cup alone, the Beermen went through numerous changes when first-choice Thomas Robinson went down with a back injury. They went with Diamond Stone before settling with Devon Scott.
But the perennial contenders no longer faced such an issue in the ongoing Governors’ Cup – big thanks to the former Oklahoma Sooner.
SMB brought in Clark way ahead of the season-ending tilt mainly for chemistry purposes, and that has paid dividends. The club ended the eliminations at no. 2 with a 9-2 record to bag a twice-to-beat quarterfinal edge as well.
And they didn’t leave anything to chance come the playoffs’ opening round, putting their win-once incentive into good use versus Converge, 121-105.
The Beermen have become the first to reach the semis, and doing so has also allowed Clark to throw his name into the Best Import conversation.
He actually turned in a Best Import-worthy outing against the FiberXers. Clark dropped 40 points and 13 rebounds as he led their third-quarter breakaway.
“That’s just me playing hard and competing,” said Clark, who first played in the league as a replacement for KJ McDaniels in NLEX last season.
“Competing every game, and trying to go out there and play the best I can.”
The nine-year pro from Arizona is actually at fifth in the Best Import race by eliminations’ end with 51.8 statistical points (SPs), built around per-game averages of 29.5 points, 10.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists.
He’s ahead of reigning titlist Justin Brownlee, who’s at sixth with 51.5 SPs in the list led by former NBA cager Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (59.0) of TNT.
Clark has indeed been a great fit in a loaded San Miguel team. Still, the soft-spoken bruiser said that he’s only trying to be of help to his fellow Beermen.
“I think it’s just we’re gelling at the right time. I’m playing hard, trying to find my teammates, and find out where they’re good at,” he said.
“Just trying to expose what they can do, and me just trying to fit in and play hard.”
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
