Justin Arana ‘staying ready’ for possible Gilas opportunity

Converge big man Justin Arana in action against Titan Ultra in the PBA Governors’ Cup.–PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Rising big man Justin Arana hopes to become the third Converge player to join Gilas Pilipinas after Juan Gomez de Liano and Justine Baltazar.

Gomez de Liano and Baltazar recently saw action for the Philippine team in the third window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

“There’s nothing right now but if ever there’s an opportunity, that’s a no-brainer,” he said.

“Right now, I’m staying ready, all of us are, so when opportunity comes, we won’t refuse it. Those kinds of opportunities, you don’t turn down.”

His coach, Delta Pineda also wants nothing more than to see Arana get his call to serve the country.

“That’s what I’ve been telling Justin. We’re praying that he gets included in the next window,” said Pineda in Filipino after the FiberXers’ 105-74 rout of Titan Ultra Giant Risers on Sunday. “Imagine if three guys from Converge are included in international play, that’s a big thing.”

“Balti and Juan give us that important confidence from their experiences against Australia and New Zealand. It’s already a big thing for Converge.”

The 27-year-old Arana could finally get his chance to wear the country’s colors after being part of the national team pool for the upcoming Japan Asian Games in September.

Gomez de Liano, in particular, shone for Gilas after a clutch showing in a double overtime heartbreaker against New Zealand in Auckland.