Rain or Shine's Jhonard Clarito in action against Magnolia in the 2024 PBA Governors' Cup quarterfinals. PBA Images

MANILA -- Already a winner of the league's Most Improved Player award, Rain or Shine's Jhonard Clarito continues to dish out his best for the Elasto Painters in their campaign in the 2024 PBA Governors' Cup.

He has emerged as one of Yeng Guiao's key performers in their best-of-five quarterfinals series against Magnolia, with the 6-foot-2 Clarito helping them take a 2-1 lead last week.

The hard-working guard banged in 20 points with five rebounds to back up the 24-20 of import Aaron Fuller as ROS drew first blood versus the Hotshots, 109-105. 

Clarito again stepped up in pivotal Game 3 when the Elasto Painters needed a quick bounce back from the previous match's 69-121 blowout to regain control.

READ: ROS shows character in Game 1 win vs. Magnolia

READ: Rain or Shine survives Magnolia in OT for series lead

Despite sustaining a bloodied nose in the highly-physical Game 3 tiebreaker, Clarito produced 18 markers and eight boards and submitted the highest efficiency of +11 in helping ROS escape with a 111-106 overtime win and get on the hill in the race-to-three. 

For such performance, Clarito (14.7 points, 5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game) earned the nod as the PBA Press Corps-Pilipinas Live Player of the Week for the period Sept. 25-29. 

"Siyempre gusto namin patunayan na kaya naming makakarating sa goal namin. Laging sinasabi ni coach Yeng (Guiao), kailangang makarating kami sa pinakamataas," said Clarito, who was the first recipient of the POW citation in the quarterfinal phase as he upstaged big guns such as San Miguel Beer's June Mar Fajardo, Barangay Ginebra's Scottie Thompson and TNT's RR Pogoy. 

Guiao was all praises for the 28-year-old, who took Best Player of the Game honor in their go-ahead W in Antipolo. 

"Si Jhonard played with his heart out and, ano ito, blood, sweat and tears, literal. So, kanina, dinugo ilong pero laro pa rin," said Guiao, as he lauded his do-it-all ward. 

"Pwede mong gamiting panlaban sa import, pang-depensa, pwedeng pang-opensa. Magaling din magluto ito, kung gusto niyong magluto ito. Kahit saan puwede 'to si Jhonard," he said.

The Hotshots have since tied the series again, winning Game 4 129-100 on Tuesday to force a deciding contest.