Converge FiberXers big man Justin Arana against the Macau Giant Pandas. PBA Images.MANILA — Justin Arana has elevated his game as Converge got its redemption tour off to a strong start in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup.
Playing his role as one of the FiberXers’ focal points, Arana posted back-to-back 30-point, 10-rebound performances to power Converge past Terrafirma, 105-103, and Macau, 149-124, helping the team improve to 3-0 and grab a share of the Group A lead with NLEX.
READ: Arana posts career-high as Converge overpowers Macau
The 6-foot-7 big man poured in 31 points and pulled down 10 rebounds in the win over the Dyip before following it up with a career-high 39 points and 12 rebounds against the Giant Pandas.
According to PBA stats chief Fidel Mangonon III, Arana's 39-point outburst set a new franchise record for the most points by a local player for Converge, eclipsing the previous mark of 36 set by Alec Stockton during the 2024 Philippine Cup against San Miguel Beer. Arana also joined Stockton as the only homegrown players in FiberXers history to record back-to-back 30-point games.
For his stellar performances, Arana was the unanimous choice for the PBA Press Corps Player of the Week for the period of July 14 to 19.
“Wala namang special (preparations and actions),” Arana said when asked about his impressive start to the season-ending conference.
“Siyempre, ‘yun nga, kina-counter ko lang kung ano’ng depensa ang binibigay sa akin and luckily, pumapasok mga tira so thankful ako.”
Arana said he and his teammates have been driven by their determination to make up for their disappointing failure to reach the playoffs of the previous Commissioner's Cup.
“Ginagawa lang talaga namin, binibigay lang namin ang 100 percent. Talagang pinagtatrabahuhan namin, ayaw talaga naming maulit ‘yung last conference kaya nagtutulong-tulong kami,” said the fourth-year big man, who edged out Phoenix's Ricci Rivero and TNT's Rey Nambatac for the weekly honor handed out by reporters covering the PBA beat.