Converge rookie Justin Arana was glad to repay the trust of his coaches by delivering the crucial plays down the stretch which allowed the FiberXers to escape with a nail-biting 92-90 victory over the Blackwater Bossing and keep their quarterfinals hopes alive.

Arana admitted he really wanted to make up for his rough start and was just thankful that FiberXers head coach Jeff Cariaso gave him the opportunity to do so in the endgame.

“Siguro mindset ko lang non is sobrang nagkalat ako nung una. Gusto ko bumawi. Kasi if matalo kami, heto na last game eh. Gusto ko lang talaga bumawi, syempre nahihiya rin ako sa mga coaches ko, dami kong turnovers,” said Arana who nailed two crucial baskets inside the final minute while also foiling a supposed go-ahead basket from Jvee Casio with 20 seconds left in the game.

“Sobrang thankful ako sa coaches ko. Kahit gaano kapangit nung una, stick parin sila sakin. So sobrang thankful ako don—kina coach Jeff, coach Danny especially mga teammates ko rin. Kahit pangit laro ko, tiwala parin sila sakin, di nila ako iniwan,” he added

For Cariaso’s part, it wasn’t hard for him to put his faith and keep Arana in the game during the waning minutes as he has his full trust in the 23-year-old’s work ethic.

“The best way to learn is to be out there,” said Cariaso. “Andon kami, we understand the way for him and other rookies to improve is to throw him out there and gain experience.”

“I felt towards the end, I know they’re attacking him, they know the defense we’re playing and they’re making him involved. But kudos to him for staying, and sticking to the game plan,” the veteran mentor said about his rookie who was picked fifth overall in the last rookie draft.

“What I like about him is his work ethic. He’s one of the hardest workers, he’s there early, he leaves late. So trusting him wasn’t difficult. He showed that he deserves that tonight,” he added.

Arana said that it was a huge confidence booster for a rookie like him if the coach is trusting him especially during the crucial stretches of the game.

“Confidence boost din yung malaki tiwala sakin ng coaches ko, and especially rookie ka, know your role eh. Pero sobrang thankful talaga ako na binibigyan ako kahit rookie ako, sobrang laki ng tiwala nila sakin,” said Arana.