Jhonard Clarito now looks to acclimatize to the PBA D-League’s style of play after taking part in his first-ever game in the developmental ranks, Thursday, with the rejigged Marinerong Pilipino Skippers.
The playoff-seeking Marinerong Pilipino called up the 23-year-old just days after he helped the San Juan Knights become the first-ever MPBL National Champions with his end-game heroics in the deciding Game Five last April 25.
“Siyempre, naga-adjust ako kasi iba yung tawagan dito kesa sa MPBL eh. Mahirap lalo na yung mga dikdikan na laro, tsaka iba,” Clarito said.
“Iba yung D-League. Maga-adjust ka talaga kasi manipis yung tawagan dito kesa sa MPBL eh.”
Still, it didn’t look like the MPBL revelation needed to adjust to much. In the 20 minutes and 38 seconds he played, the 6-foot-2 guard produced 12 points on 4-of-11 shooting along with 15 rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a block.
Clarito even had an opportunity to emulate his end-game magic when the Skippers needed only one field goal to win it. Unfortunately, the chance did not show up, and Marinero eventually bowed to Diliman College-Gerry’s Grill, 85-86.
The Davaoeño cager said that he hadn’t thought of unleashing another game-winning bucket, though.
“Wala naman akong inisip na ganon. Ang gusto ko lang, kung ano lang yung maitutulong ko, yun lang gagawin ko. Tiwala naman ako sa mga kasama ko, na kaya nilang gawin yung trabaho nila,” he said.
“Gagawin ko yung trabaho ko.”
It wasn’t the debut he wanted as it came in a loss, and it also put the Skippers in danger of missing the semifinals for the first time since joining the league in 2017. But Clarito isn’t losing hope that they’ll make it.
“Sabi ni coach Yong [Garcia] sa’min, fifty-fifty yung [chances] namin. ‘Pag nakuha namin yung MetroPac-San Beda, may chance kaming pumasok sa playoffs,” said Clarito, a product of De Ocampo. “Kunin lang namin yung San Beda.”
And he’s also grateful now that he has set foot in the developmental league.
“Siyempre, pangarap ng ibang tao ‘to na makalaro ng D-League. Nagpapasalamat ako na kinuha ako ni coach Yong [Garcia] dito at pinaglaro,” he said.
“Bibigay ko lang yung best ko at yung effort ko – kung ano yung laro ko, lalaruin ko lang.”
