HIS Rain or Shine teammates call him “Michael Jhonard” and Jhonard Clarito, last season’s most improved player, does his best to dish out MJ-esque efforts, if not numbers, each game.

This was in full display last week when the 6-foot-2 Clarito played a key role as the Elasto Painters took a 2-1 lead against Magnolia in their best-of-five PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup quarterfinal series.

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

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

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

For his 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 Sept. 25-29.

“Siyempre gusto naming patunayan na kaya naming makarating sa goal namin. Laging sinasabi ni coach Yeng (Guiao), kailangang makarating kami sa pinakamataas,” said Clarito, the first recipient of the POW citation in the quarterfinals, upstaging 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 Game 3 win in Antipolo.

“Si Jhonard played with his heart out and 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 ‘tong si Jhonard,” he said, smiling.

After Magnolia evened the series with a 129-100 win in Game 4, all eyes will be on Clarito in the deciding fifth game.