No doubt, Justin Arana has proved himself to be one of the most dominant, if not the most among the big men in the just-concluded NCAA Season 97.
And as he moves up to the pro ranks, the 6-foot-6 bruiser is set to receive guidance from one the greatest big men the PBA has ever seen: Danny Ildefonso.
Ildefonso is an assistant coach under head coach Jeff Cariaso over at Converge, which drafted the Arellano University star with the fourth overall pick in the PBA Rookie Draft.
"Sobrang excited ako na maraming matutunan sa kanya. Hanggang ngayon, nandyan siya naka-guide sa likod ko," shared Arana during the NCAA Season 97 awarding ceremony, where he picked up three individual trophies after being named Defensive Player of the Year and making to both the Mythical Five and the Best Defensive team.
According to the 23-year-old bruiser, he immediately attended FiberXers' training a day after the rookie draft last May 15.
On his first day at camp, Arana got tips and advice from Ildefonso, an 8-time PBA champion, two-time MVP, and is a member of the league's 40 Greatest Players.
"Since day one ko sa team ko sa Converge, si Coach Danny na talaga 'yung tumutok sa akin. Sobrang thankful ako and syempre isang karangalan na maturuan niya ako," Arana said.
Another rookie big man who will benefit from training with Ildefonso is Letran's Jeo Ambohot, the NCAA Season 97 Finals MVP and a fellow member of the Mythical Team alongside Arana.
The Chiefs star, though, believes he still has a long way to go despite his individual accolades in the collegiate league.
"Syempre sobrang saya ko ngayon kasi nakuha ko 'tong mga (awards) pero ayun nga, para sa akin kulang pa rin 'yung napakita ko pero looking forward pa rin ako sa mga mararating ng [former] teammates ko and hopefully, next season maganda yung season nila," he said.
"Malaking kumpiyansa din 'to para sa akin kasi 'yun nga, papunta ng pro maraming magagaling na talents and focus pa rin ako sa goal ko and syempre kailangan ko rin mag-improve pa para tumagal ako sa PBA."
—JMB, GMA News
