#LabanSanJuan: "Playoff" Jhonard Clarito paying off huge dividends for the Knights

If there's any doubt that there is one man that can activate once it's crunch time, it has to be the best homegrown player in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.

And for the San Juan , they have him in Jhonard Clarito.

The former standout forward for De Ocampo has activated his playoff mode once again in the Lakan Season's Northern Division Finals, after first making his name with his Datu Cup clinching heroices away at Davao Occidental.

Last Monday in Game 1, Clarito put up a double-double of 19 points and 18 rebounds to lead all players, in which he put up an astonishing index of 30, while coming off the bench for the defending national champions as they put away Makati.

"Nakilala natin siya dyan sa mga basura-basura," said Head Coach Randy Alcantara about his homegrown workhorse who makes rebounds and hustle for living.

Yes, that huge numbers off the bench signifies the scary depth the Knights have, even without their veteran ex-pro Larry Rodriguez who is still on the injured list.

"Nagkaroon ng threat, nagka-shooting at nagka-drive. Syempre gagawin naman yun para makatulong. Yan na yung laro niya."

Despite the player of the game accolade, Clarito still has the change to put his feet firmly on the ground, adding that it is not possible without his teammates' help.

"Di natin mapapantayan si Kuya Larry. Sakin lang kung ano yung sinasabi ng coaches at Kuya larry, sinusunod ko. Sila yung nakakakita sa labas."

Having their championship experience was a boost to all in San Juan, as Clarito added that his role is built for the tough grind and the scraps that they battle every single game while keeping a cool head, as what exemplified on his tussle with Vin Importante in the third in which he only got with a loose ball foul while the SuperCrunch bruiser was tagged with an unsportsmanlike

"Focus lang sa game. Kahit anong mangyari, wag lang gaganti," he then said.

With the Knights going for the kill tonight behind closed doors, he knows that the war is not yet over, as Makati looks not just to put a dent on their home record, but sending the series to a sudden death.

"Mahirap talaga ang Game 2, parang sa kanila do-or-die. Kelangan maka all-1. Ang samin naman, yung mga lapses namin sa depensa kelangan namin maimprove."

Photo by Harold Biado/San Juan Knights