Add Jhonard Clarito to among those success stories of marginal players who blossomed under the tutelage of Yeng Guiao.
An undersized power forward who entered the Philippine Basketball Association, Clarito worked double time on evolving his game as soon as he joined the big league.
He was one of those unheralded players who was discovered playing in a less fancied collegiate squad in the NCRAA — the De Ocampo Memorial College Cobras — where he became one of the Mythical Five a few years ago, but went on to make his mark as one of the key players of the San Juan Knights, who won the National Championship in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League in 2019.
But even when he was playing in the MPBL, he was already setting his sights in the PBA and his preferred target destination was playing for head coach Yeng Guiao, who was still coaching NLEX back then.
“Nung nagsimula ako sa MPBL, marami akong naging teammates na ex-PBA (players), sina Kuya Larry Rodriguez, Kuya John Wilson, Kuya Mac Cardona. Pinagsasabihan nila ako based sa experience nila kung anong mga dapat gawin,” said Clarito. “Pero nung una, sinabi ko nga kung magpapa-draft ako sa PBA, sana kunin ako ni Coach Yeng sa drafting pa lang, nasa NLEX siya nun.”
Clarito didn’t end up with NLEX, but wound up instead with Rain or Shine, who was still being coached back then by Chris Gavina, and selected him as the 17th overall pick.
At Rain or Shine, Clarito had to fight for a spot.
He needed to prove that he can adapt playing in the wing position, knowing that he’ll be too small to play his natural power forward spot as he was standing a shade below 6-foot-2.
From being once relegated to the reserve list, Clarito worked his way up to cracking the regular roster, but was stuck in the 11th to 12th man in the rotation.
His dream of finally playing for Guiao became a reality when the seven-time champion coach rejoined Rain or Shine, a team he coached to two championships, late 2022.
“Sabi ni Kuya Larry, ‘sana mapunta ka kay Coach Yeng’,” added Clarito. “Pero napunta ako noon sa Rain or Shine, kay Coach Chris, pero sabi ko ‘OK lang’, gagawin ko yung best ko. Pero after a few months, may mga naririnig nga kami na babalik nga si Coach Yeng, kaya nagpasalamat ako. Laking tuwa ko nun nung pumasok siya sa Rain or Shine.”
Guiao knew right there in then that there’s a diamond in the rough in Clarito, whom he had watched playing in the MPBL.
“I knew he was one of the key players of San Juan before,” added Guiao, referring to Clarito, who became the hero of that final game of the series between San Juan and Davao Occidental Tigers in the 2018-2019 season.
‘We know there’s talent, but in our system, we also know that everyone has to fight for spots.”
Guiao considered Clarito’s path as one among those success stories.
“Ang ganda ng kuwento nito. Siya yung mga players na hindi pansinin. Akala nila yung mga puwedeng sumikat lang yung mga guwapo, pero guwapo rin naman itong si Jhonard eh. But he was a hard-nosed player, blue collar, tapos masipag mag-practice, very rugged, kasi yun ang gusto ko yung natural yung physical game niya,” added Guiao.
“Nagsisipag talaga siya na i-improve yung offensive skills niya. So kami nina Coach Caloy (Garcia), Coach Ricky (Umayam), Coach Mike (Buendia) napapansin namin yun, so unti-unti humahaba yung playing time niya. Nung gumaganda laro niya na-extend yung kontrata niya.”
That contract extension where he and teammate Shaun Ildefonso were signed up to a new two-year deal, motivated Clarito even more and he has definitely elevated his game, particularly this conference.
Clarito’s average had gone up to 11.82 points per game, capped by a career-high 29 markers on Sunday night as he powered Rain or Shine to a 121-113 triumph over TNT to force a rubber match for a playoff berth.
The hardworking forward seemed motivated to play much better, knowing that his efforts were rewarded following that contract extension.
“Ibinigay na namin yung gusto niya. Nung una, ang sabi ni max (maximum offer), ang sbai namin yung candy na lang na max ibibigay namin,” said Guiao in jest.
Turing serious, he believes that Clarito is now beginning to reap the dividends of his hard work and efforts.
“Fair naman sa kanya yung ibinigay namin,” added Guiao. “Tingin namin magtatagal si Jhonard sa liga na ito. Bata pa ito eh. He is only 28 so puwede pa ito ng mga 10 taon siguro. May mga inspirasyon sila, kakampirma lang nila ng kontrata. Siguro kahit every week papipirmahin namin ng bagong kontrata itong mga ito.”
