Cameron Clark is the Converge FiberXers’ third import in this PBA Governors’ Cup after the ineffective Jalen Hudson and the trigger-happy Jamaal Franklin. Two games into playing for Delta Pineda, it’s looking like the veteran reinforcement will be here to stay.
On Sunday, the sweet-shooting forward helped Converge secure a quarterfinals spot, tallying 30 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals in the FiberXers’ 152-119 dismantling of the Titan Ultra Giant Risers at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. It is their second win with Clark at the helm, following a 112-110 escape act over the NLEX Road Warriors just before the PBA took its extended break. In that game, the former San Miguel Beermen reinforcement went off for 37 points and 12 rebounds against the league’s top team record-wise.
Cameron Clark Earns High Praise From Justin Arana
After Converge won its sixth game this conference on Sunday, FiberXers big man Justin Arana gave Cameron Clark his flowers, pointing to his ability to play within the system and his great attitude as his defining traits.
“Marunong siya maglaro sa sistema. Kahit anong ibigay mo sa kanyang role, tatanggapin niya, hindi siya magrereklamo. Talagang andiyan lang siya para magtrabaho, hindi mo siya maririnig na mag-complain or what,” Arana told Rebanse. “Kahit ilabas mo, walang ganun. Magaling at maganda ang attitude ng player na ‘yun so talagang sobrang swerte namin sa import namin.”
It’s certainly looking that way. Against NLEX, Clark took 30 shots as the FiberXers’ go-to guy. On Sunday, he was more finisher than playmaker, going 11-for-18 as one of the main beneficiaries of Juan Gomez De Liaño’s 13 assists.
Arana Hopes Converge Continues Surge
With Converge’s import situation evidently resolved with Cameron Clark, Arana is hoping his FiberXers continue to do what’s gotten them back on track: playing as a team.
“Naglalaro kami as a team…,” Arana said when asked what has keyed this sudden surge. “‘Di ko lang sure kung six or seven players ang nasa double digit, or eight. Good thing para sa amin ‘yun kasi naging deeper ‘yung lineup namin during this game, and sana sa last two games namin sa elimination ganun pa rin, hanggang playoffs…”
Seven FiberXers scored at least 11 points against the Giant Risers, with Arana himself tallying 11 points on 5-for-7 shooting off the bench. In all, 8 of the 13 players Pineda fielded in scored at least a bucket, underscoring Converge’s heavy firepower.
Now, Arana can only hope that this run of great play continues. With Cameron Clark doing whatever is needed of him, maybe it will.
