Justin Arana is on a high heading into his final playing year with Arellano University, after a solid stint in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.
However, in just his first game of the season, the 23-year-old big man out of Camarines Norte went down with a scary right knee injury. And the initial diagnosis was a partial anterior cruciate ligament tear.
Nonetheless, when they asked for a second opinion, it was a better piece of news.
“Kumuha po kami ng opinion nung March 13, morning yon. Kumbaga parang mali yung first diagnosis sa kin. So, yung second, nagpa-check na kami kay Dr. [Raul] Canlas yon, so yun ACL sprain lang talaga yung nangyari sa kin,” Arana shared.
Determined to make up for the lost time in their second game against Letran, the graduating big man was a surprise starter for the Chiefs in their Friday’s outing against the Blazers.
Saint Benilde head coach Charles Tiu knew of this possibility, though. He set up his wards for their plan for this return from Arana, who for him is the best big man in the NCAA.
The new bench tactician for the Blazers said, “I know my players can compete, but Justin is that good. So we have to prepare hard for him.”
Despite the game plan against Arana, the Arellano co-captain still finished with a double-double performance of 14 points and 11 rebounds. He even added two assists and three blocks, despite turning the ball over seven times – one of them an offensive foul after clashing with Macoy Marcos, 6:04 left in the first quarter.
The Blazers kept it close in the rebounding department, but with Arana holding the fort, Arellano still won the battle at the boards, 33-27. And for Tiu, it was a testament to how good the reigning Defensive Player of the Year was.
“The guy is playing on one knee and still – what, getting a double-double? And he’s playing well. We wanted to make him work as much as we can, but you can’t really stop a guy like that,” said Tiu, who had wanted to get Arana for his club team Nueva Ecija.
“So, so much respect for Justin. I don’t really know why he’s out there one week after a scary knee injury. I’m glad nothing worse happened. Justin’s good, we really needed to work hard to stop Justin.”
Arana himself admitted that he had some qualms in playing. “Pero, although, naiilang pa rin ako ngayon, may pain pa rin. Ayun, kailangan kong maglaro eh para sa team ko ba,” he said.
“Para sa kin kasi, kahit masakit yung tuhod ko, gusto ko lang talagang manalo kami at lumaban eh. May plano siguro sa min si Lord kaya nangyari to.”
The Chiefs, with head coach Cholo Martin at the helm, knew that they had to take it easy with Arana for now. And in this game, Arana had to play for only 22 minutes – 13 minutes less than he played in their debut game against San Sebastian.
“Yun din yung inaano nung doktor na kung pwede bawasan raw daw konti yung minutes ko dahil nga sa tuhod ko. Kailangan ko pa kasing mag-rehab and strengthening eh,” the 6-foot-5 center said.
“Yun ang required ng doktor ko na kailangan munang bawasan yung playing time ko and yung mag-support ng knee support.”
Arana’s performance against the Blazers is very much an indication of his willingness to do it all for Arellano. And he really wanted to go out with a bang.
“Gustung-gusto ko talaga kasi nga ito na yung last year ko. And willing ko ibigay ang lahat para lang sa Arellano, para madala ko yung team ko sa Final Four at makuha namin yung championship.”
