Exclusive: A closer look at Elasto Painter Jhonard Clarito

PBA Season 48 Most Improved Player Jhonard Clarito has shared his basketball journey in an exclusive interview with Scoreline.ph when the team visited one of the practices of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.

The first thing he shared with Scoreline.ph was the transition of his game play from his college days to commercial league to how he does it now.

“More on running and defense. Defense first. That’s my mindset since I played in college. My school and I were not famous,” Clarito, who was an alumnus of De Ocampo Memorial College, said in Filipino.

Then, he brought his talent to the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) where he played with San Juan Knights under coach Randy Alcantara and even won a championship with them in 2019.

“In San Juan Knights, under coach Randy, the playing style is the same – transition and defense,” added Clarito.

After his MPBL career, Jhonard brought his wares to the Philippine Basketball Association where he was drafted by Rain or Shine in the second round of the 2022 PBA Draft as the 22nd pick overall.

Coach Chris Gavina was still the coach of the Elasto Painters when Clarito was drafted in that year but he didn’t play that much.

“When I was drafted here under Coach Chris Gavina, I didn’t play much because I think I was sick by then. Then, after a year Coach Yeng came in.”

Clarito said that when coach Guiao arrived, he was given the amount of playing time that he needed and became comfortable to CYG’s system as his game not just only blossomed but also improved.

“When coach (Yeng) arrived, I was given playing time. I played my game again and even improved it.”

Asked if they entered the semis or even the finals on what he can contribute more for the team, he said, “I think, I need to double my effort in defense and offense. I also need to create (plays) for my teammates and I need to play hard inside so that they can imitate my aggressiveness. That’s just what we need - go hard inside and you should know what to do in defense.”

Jhonard also shared with Scoreline.ph his close relationship with his teammates and his gratitude to his coach.

“With my teammates, we always joke around. There’s no problem with us. It’s important that we joke with one another but no one gets offended. Especially those Bisaya like me - Santi (Santillan), Kuya Beau (Belga) and F (Escandor). That’s what makes our team happy, when we ‘bully’ each other.”

Clarito was all praises also to their import Aaron Fuller who’s an integral part of their success in their PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup campaign where they finished the elimination round as the top seed in Group B.

“Aaron, he is good. He just does his job. He doesn’t demand to score but if he needs to, he will. If rebounding is needed from him, he will rebound. That’s the beauty of having him (as in import). We also need to help him so we can continue our momentum,” he said of their prized import.

When asked about what he can say about Coach Yeng, Jhonard was deeply grateful that he has a mentor like Guiao.

“For me, Coach Yeng is a good coach. He is not just coaching us inside the court. He also mentored us in our lifestyle. He taught us how to save and what to do with those.”

Clarito also said that CYG is father-figure to them, “Coach is always telling us that we will not play basketball forever, so we have to save for our future and our family because the worth of our salary today, we cannot get if after retirement.”

Another attribute that Jhonard appreciates from his coach is that he trusts his players as long as they work hard.

“Coach Yeng is so kind. He will only scold inside the court if you made mistakes. What is important for him is that you play the right way and defend well. He will still use you if you make turnovers as long as you bounce back.”

Jhonard Clarito might have won the MIP award already but with the guidance of his coach and trust of his teammates, he is continuously improving. That being said, the best is yet to come to the pride of Davao del Sur.