YENG Guiao’s familiarity with Cameron Clark's game somehow helped Rain or Shine clamp down on the Converge import in Game One of their PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals series.
The 35-year-old Clark exploded for 18 points in the first half which saw the FiberXers enjoyed lead of as much as 21 points.
But once the Elasto Painters managed to adjust their defense against Clark, that’s when they managed to claw their way back into the match on the way to a 124-120 victory on Tuesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
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Clark finished with 28 points and eight rebounds on 11-of-17 shooting in his latest PBA playoff stint after previously playing for Guiao at NLEX, San Miguel Beer, and Hong Kong Eastern before taking his act to Converge.
Guiao said Clark has vastly improved since first coming over in the country to suit up for the Road Warriors during the 2021 Governors’ Cup.
“Alam ko yung laro ni Cam. Pero gumaling siya, mas magaling siya ngayon kaysa nung una siyang dumating dito,” said the NLEX coach of the veteran import. “Ibang player na si Cam Clark ngayon. A lot better when he first came over here."
The champion coach even credited Clark for the five-game winning run of Converge in the homestretch of the elimination round that made the FiberXers the third seeded team in Group A.
Having said that, Guiao noted Rain or Shine was fortunate enough to have adjusted its defense on Clark beginning in the second half.
“Kung hindi namin siya na-solve in time, 21 yung nilamang nila (FiberXers) sa amin, mahirap mo nang habulin yun kung ganun pa rin ang nilalaro,” he said. “Buti na lang na-remedyuhan in time.”
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