John Lloyd Clemente finally had the breakout game his talent warrants in the UAAP Season 85 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
The National University standout helped his school escape Adamson University 58-54 by producing 14 points behind 50 percent shooting in close to 30 minutes of action on the floor.
“Yung panalo po namin, sa coaches po namin yun kase sinusunod lang namin yung gameplan namin, yung pinapagawa ng mga coaches,” said Clemente.
The Pampanga native’s performance vindicates NU coach Jeff Napa’s mantra of his Bulldogs being 16-man strong.
While Clemente only scored six points in NU’s previous victory over University of the Philippines, his output today showed why Napa wants his boys to be ready for whenever they are called to play on the floor.
“Sa last game namin, si JLC limited minutes, ngayon babawi yan. Kahit sabihin natin not too much scoring, yung mga little things na hindi nakikita ng ibang tao, yan ang ginagawa ng mga players,” said the former Letran Knights mentor.
For his part, Clemente feels his performance is just part of the process.
He was not too happy about it because he knows that there is still a long way to go this season. Indeed, it is about doing everything to help the team win and playing within the designated roles and system.
“Ano lang naman, sa mga ganung game, malalim ang tiwala ko kay coach Jeff kung anoman ang magiging desisyon niya sa mga ganung sitwasyon,” said Clemente.
“Ako lang stay focused lang ako kase mahaba pa season eh. Madami din akong kailangan i-work para i-prove na pag mga ganung sitwasyon, kailangan din ako.”
