By now, it’s been proven that Jaylen Johnson of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters is among the best imports in this PBA Commissioner’s Cup. Jhonard Clarito, meanwhile, continues to be one of Yeng Guiao’s most consistent locals.
On Wednesday, these two led Rain or Shine to a stunning 115-111 victory over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in Game 1 of the Commissioner’s Cup semis series. Johnson dropped a 40-piece with 19 rebounds and 3 assists, and also hit a huge four-pointer. Clarito, on the other hand, fired 25 points on top of 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block, plus a booming corner triple down the stretch.
In a way, Clarito’s and Johnson’s performance in Game 1 might be a hint of the major role these two players could play in helping Rain or Shine make it back to the PBA Finals—on the 10th anniversary of their last championship.
Clarito and Johnson Have No Physical Match
As Game 1 showed, Clarito and Johnson can play with a level of physicality that Ginebra can’t match. Johnson took it to Ginebra’s bigs, whether Japeth Aguilar, Troy Rosario, or Norbert Torres. Clarito, meanwhile, hunted Ralph Cu and overpowered Stephen Holt whenever he wanted to.
Johnson, at 6-foot-9, figures to have his way against the barangay’s frontline all series long, especially if Tim Cone refuses to send two on him. Aguilar at this point is too thin and frail to go head-to-head with Johnson, while Rosario and Torres are simply too small. Isaac Go, size-wise, could be a good matchup for the American, but he might be too slow to keep up.
Clarito will likewise enjoy a physical advantage over Ginebra’s guards and forwards. Holt at 6-foot-4 is taller, but also less physical and not really a post defender. It’s the same case for Cu, whom Clarito pushed around for much of the third quarter in Game 1 en route to a 13-point frame. Jeremiah Gray would get clobbered and knocked off every time, while Sonny Estil would be overwhelmed. Justin Brownlee is a physical match, but that would mean putting more pressure on JB on both ends.
Guiao Finds Points of Attack
Cone, the veteran that he is, will surely adjust accordingly. A seven-game series, after all, is all about adjustments. But if it is any consolation for Guiao, Clarito and Johnson look like points of attack that Rain or Shine can go to in the halfcourt. It doesn’t mean they’ll combine for 65 a game the rest of the way, but it does give the Elasto Painters options as the series goes along.
It could also galvanize Rain or Shine knowing they can attack Ginebra with physicality—with Jhonard Clarito and Jaylen Johnson leading the charge.
