NEVER SAY die was once again in full display on Friday night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Barangay Ginebra’s 109-101 win over Rain or Shine in Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals.
But it wasn’t the crowd darlings showing grit this time.
Instead, it came from Jhonard Clarito who spearheaded the Elasto Painters’ fourth-quarter comeback, scoring 11 of his 19 points in that stretch to make the game exciting after ROS once trailed by as many as 24 points.
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Each time Ginebra looked like it was ready to pull away, the rugged forward kept fighting – including one stretch when he stripped Justin Brownlee and got fouled with 32 seconds left, draining two free throws to trim the Ginebra lead to four.
Despite earning high praise because of that brave rally, Clarito shared that the comeback could’ve been sparked by anyone from his team – noting that grit is innate in the entire Rain or Shine team, not just from one man.
“Nag-huddle kami sa loob. Kailangan talaga namin gawin yung ginagawa namin sa practice. Kailangan higpitan namin yung depensa. Pero kung hindi din man sa'kin magsimula, magsisimula din naman sa mga teammates ko yun. Mag-pasa pasa na 'yun e. Kung sino yung gigil na gigil na makadepensa, salo-salo na samin yun,” Clarito said.
“Nangyari yun pero late na yung effort namin kanina. Malaki na yung lamang.”
While the comeback was admirable, Clarito says they shouldn’t have allowed themselves to trail by that much.
Late effort. That’s how his coach Yeng Guiao would call it.
“Sabi nga ni coach Yeng, gawin lang namin yung pace namin sa laro. Usually yan yung transition at full-court defense. Yun na nga medyo malaki na yung lamang e,” he said.
“Sabi ni coach Yeng sa dugout, late effort. Yun ang kulang sa'min kanina. Wala na kaming nagawa, malaki na yung lamang nila.”
Though the comeback ultimately fell short, the effort was further proof that if they continue to stick to their identity, then they’re in a good position to win games, Clarito said.
“At least nakita namin na meron pala. At ganun talaga 'yung situation na kung hindi kami magfullcourt defense at transition, hindi kami didikit sa kanila. Kailangan namin gawin yan ulit sa Game 3.”
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