JHONARD Clarito said he needs to work doubly hard to get rebounds in the semifinals against TNT.
Clarito is averaging 7.5 rebounds in the first two games of the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup semifinals, already massive numbers for anyone, especially those only standing at 6'2.
But this is Clarito, a player who is coming off a quarterfinal series against NLEX where he averaged 16.5 rebounds in two games including one where he hauled 21 rebounds. Clarito admitted he already feels being a marked man on the boards.
READ: Oftana scores 39 as TNT frustrates Rain or Shine yet again in OT
“Sa rebounds, siyempre mahirap. Undersized kami especially TNT kalaban, sobrang laki nila,” said Clarito.
“Minsan, binaboxout nila ako kahit nandito pa ako sa three points, hindi ako pinapapasok sa loob. Bina-boxout ako nila (Glenn) Khobuntin, nila Calvin (Oftana), si (RR) Pogoy, kahit sinong bumabantay sa akin, naka-front box out kaya hindi nila ako pinagbibigyan na makapunta sa ilalim,” said Clarito.
And if he makes it inside, Clarito still has to deal with TNT’s bigs.
“Papunta naman ako sa ilalim, sasalubungin ka naman ng big man nila, BGR (Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser), Kelly (Williams), Poy (Erram) kaya ang hirap makakuha ng rebound. Minarkahan na nila ako, isang malaking factor kaya mahirap,” said Clarito.
Clarito had 16 points and eight rebounds in Rain or Shine’s 113-105 loss last Friday to go down 0-2 in their best-of-seven semifinal series against TNT. The Elasto Painters actually outrebounded the Tropang 5G, 57-53, after getting manhandled in Game 1 with a 59-44 discrepancy.
The Season 48 Most Improved Player said all's not lost despite the heartbreaking defeat where the Elasto Painters blew a three-point lead in the final seconds of the fourth quarter after Calvin Oftana was fouled late in the game.
“Medyo masakit ‘yung pagkatalo namin ngayon. Nandoon na eh, kaya naming manalo. Siguro ‘yung mga lapses namin, maraming turnovers kaya medyo nadali na naman kami.”
“Sa next game, kailangan naming ma-korek ‘yung mga mali namin, makabawi kami para hindi naman kami 3-0 at maka-isa kami sa Game 3,” said Clarito.
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