Jhonard Clarito refuses to take all the credit even after showing why he deserved the PBA Season 48 Most Improved Player honors on Wednesday.
The tireless 6-foot-2 workhorse put out an extremely efficient night, setting a plus-minus rating of +37 to star in Rain or Shine’s 124-105 conquest of the erstwhile-unbeaten NLEX to go 3-0 in the Season 49 Governors’ Cup.
He finished with all-around numbers of 24 points on a perfect 9-of-9 clip from the field, alongside three rebounds, four assists, and five steals in 27 minutes.
Yet he didn’t grab all the spotlight for himself, instead shining it on his teammates for their part – not just in this particular outing, but in winning the award as well.
“Suwerte ako sa mga teammate[s] ko,” he expressed during the postgame presser at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. “Kasi credit sa kanila yun eh. Kung hindi dahil sa kanila, kung hindi sa mga coaches, hindi ko makukuha ‘yun.”
It’s that kind of bond this present-day Rain or Shine has built that makes Coach Yeng Guiao beam with much pride, since it has been translating on the court.
Of course, Clarito winning Most Improved honors shows that – he is the first Rain or Shine player to win it since another tough-nosed winger in Jericho Cruz, who is now with San Miguel Beer.
(C) PBA Images
“Michael Jhonard na tawag namin dito eh,” quipped Guiao. “Deserving naman siya kasi ang sipag nito sa practice. Tapos kahit sigawan mo, murahin mo, wala sa kaniya. Nagbubunga naman ‘yung tiyaga niya, pagpapasensya niya.
“Tsaka suportado siya ng mga kasama niya, ‘yung sinasabi niyang very tight itong group na ito. Malakas yung bond nila. One reason siguro, you see them share the ball, that’s an effect of their camaraderie,” he added.
Guiao couldn’t be any happier to see that chemistry lead to where they are now in this conference. By beating the Road Warriors, the Elasto Painters have now taken solo lead in Group B with a pristine 3-0 record.
“You see them support each other – magkamali sila, magmintis sila, pagalitan ko sila, they support each other. Pagdating sa laro, walang naiinggit, walang nagseselos,” said the champion bench tactician proudly.
“Bigyan mo ng playing time, OK sa kanila. ‘Wag mo bigyan ng playing time, OK din sa kanila. Kahit hindi mo swelduhan ‘tong mga ‘to, OK lang din,” he added jokingly, drawing laughter from those attending the presser.
