(1888PressRelease)
March 04, 2009 - Veteran Power Forward Charles Clark is back overseas playing basketball in the Philippines PBA. This time Clark, the former Johnson C. Smith College standout is with the PBA's RAIN or Shine and showing he could be a permanent replacement for Jai Lewis after coming up with a double-double and leading the Elasto Painters to a cruising 91-83 win over Barako Bull Sunday in the Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.
Clark came up with 23 points and 13 rebounds and drew ample support from his local teammates for the win that readily became apparent after the Elasto Painters held the Energy Boosters to only nine points in the second quarter before erecting as much as a 70-47 lead just past the halfway point of the third quarter.
“We played great but we could be better,” said Rain or Shine head coach Caloy Garcia after his team reprised its season-opening Philippine Cup feat of winning its first game. “Hard work and team work brought us this win,” added the man who related his team also geared up for the tournament with practices and tune-ups for a month.
The 6-foot-8 Clark, who saw action for the team formerly known as Welcoat, was a huge difference and not only because of his 250-lb. frame. “He has lost more than 35 pounds since the first time he played here and he's more mobile now. He works hard every day, even in practice, and he can shoot and also post up,” related Garcia.
Clark knows how to use his bulk well, helping Rain or Shine post a 62-44 advnatage off the boards in the end. “In the rebounding side he occupies the space we need,” Garcia noted. Barako Bull actually started hot, leading by 23-13 after McFadgon, the smallest among the reinforcements at slightly under 6'4, scored eight of his points during a 14-0 run. But once the Clark-led Rain or Shine found its bearings, there was no stopping the carnage that followed.
"Charles is the prime example of what hard work and dedication stands for." says Clark's agent Nate McCray of Dynasty Sports Management. "I'm excited to see him make a comeback like this as I'm sure he'll be a consistant 20/10 a night player in this league" relayed McCray.
If Clark keeps it up this season, you just may see him getting some interest at the next level in the NBA.
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