Clarito’s crucial baskets lead San Juan Knights to MPBL crown

San Juan’s Jhonard Clarito scored San Juan’s last six points including the game-winning layup with eight seconds to go. | photo from San Juan’s Facebook page

Cebu City, Philippines–San Juan found a hero in Jhonard Clarito, who scored the game-winning layup with eight seconds left to lift the Knights to a thrilling 87-86 victory over the Davao Occidental Tigers in the deciding Game Five of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup Finals on Thursday, April 25, 2019, at the RMC Gym in Davao City.

Ironically, Clarito — who scored the Knights’ last six points — hails from nearby Davao del Sur and he proved to be the difference-maker in the see-saw battle.

Down one with 12.6 ticks left, Clarito drove it down the left wing, rose up against the defense of Billy Robles and Mark Yee and sank the difficult layup to shove the Knights ahead, 87-86.

With no timeouts remaining, the Tigers threw the ball ahead to Cebuano guard Eman Calo, who missed the potential game-winning lay-in. Clarito then grabbed the defensive rebound and ran the clock out to give the victory and the championship to San Juan. 

Clarito scored 11 points and the Knights needed every bit of it to avoid the ignominy of losing a 49-35 halftime lead.

San Juan was still down by seven, 77-84, with under four minutes to go before Mike Ayonayon and Larry Rodriguez scored baskets to set the stage for Clarito’s heroic turn.

Ayonayon scored 33 points while Rodriguez collected a double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds.

Yee led the way for Davao Occidental with 27 points while Bonbon Custodio added 19.

THE SCORES:

SAN JUAN 87 – Ayonayon 33, Rodriguez 15, Cardona 12, Clarito 11, Wilson 8, Reyes 4, Wamar 3, Isit 1, Jeruta 0, Aquino 0, Muyang 0, Tajonera 0, Marquez 0.

DAVAO OCCIDENTAL 86 – Yee 27, Custodio 19, Adormeo 12, Calo 10, Terso 5, Ombecan 5, Najorda 3, Lamocha 3, Robles 2, Raymundo 0, Regalado 0.

Quarters: 21-15, 49-35, 63-68, 87-86./bmjo