While waiting for help, Arana to study beating he got from Fajardo
Justin Arana will have plenty of lessons to crunch in the coming days after Converge fell to San Miguel in the deciding Game 5 of the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals.
But none of those are going to be more invaluable than the experience of personally battling June Mar Fajardo, the reigning and eight-time Most Valuable Player of the league—and that’s according to the FiberXers big man himself.
“[He is] 6-foot-10 and so skilled he knows how to make use [of every angle at the] post? He’s so good,” Arana told reporters shortly after the narrow 109-105 loss at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Arana also found himself on the unpleasant end of Fajardo’s 40 points and 24 rebounds, the San Miguel ace’s third career 40-20 outing.
But instead of sulking, Arana said the superstar center only lit a fire under him.
“I’ve learned a lot playing him. And of course I’m motivated (to get back at him) in the coming conference. I just hope we get to have another good run,” the former Arellano standout said.
Arana accounted for only eight points in the rubber match, the gargantuan task of trying to contain Fajardo clearly taking a toll on him. But that was also due his the fouls he collected early in the game—something he hopes to improve moving forward.
“I was in foul trouble in the first half. And that’s one of my shortcomings. I had one against Don (Trollano), where I lost my cool and (carelessly reacted). I have to overcome that,” he said.
Arana said that he can’t wait for the next tournament to come, or for the time when the other players like stretch forward and overall top pick Justine Baltazar, La Salle’s burly two-sport athlete Ben Phillips, Letran’s Pao Javillonar and former Arellano teammate Ronan Santos are finally onboard the team.
“I’m excited because I’m going to get help. And that will be really huge for me,” he said.
