The Next Great Big: Comparing Arana’s Growth to Fajardo’s Early Years

The PBA is always on the lookout for the next great Filipino big man. Lately, Justin Arana from the Converge FiberXers has been turning heads. His rapid rise and impressive play have led many to compare him to June Mar Fajardo, who is considered the gold standard.

Fajardo, also called 'The Kraken,' raised the bar during his early days with San Miguel. His size, skill, and basketball smarts helped him win a record run of MVP awards. Now, fans wonder if Arana can challenge that legacy or if he will make his own mark.

The Foundation: Dominance and Draft Expectations

Fajardo joined the league as the obvious top pick and was expected to lead his team right away. In his first years, he showed a level of physical dominance that few could handle. He often faced double-teams, and his finishing at the rim was rare for someone so young.

Arana’s entry was different. He was highly regarded but joined a young Converge team focused on growth instead of immediate championships. He faced high expectations and quickly showed he could handle the physical side of the pro game, leading the defense and surprising scouts with his offense. Both players made an early impact, but Arana did so while helping build a new team identity, unlike Fajardo, who filled the team’s urgent needs right away.

Offensive Evolution: Skillsets Beyond the Paint

Both players are strong near the basket, but Fajardo’s early game was all about his hook shot and powerful post moves. He was the classic low-post specialist, using his strength and smart decisions to succeed.

Arana is a more versatile modern big man. He can dribble, attack defenders, and is starting to develop a game outside the paint. His footwork in the post is impressive, and he fits well into fast-paced offensive plays, not just classic post-ups. Both players are smart and know when to score or pass, but Arana’s quickness in pick-and-rolls and fast breaks gives him a unique advantage over Fajardo’s early, power-based style.

Defensive Identity: Anchoring the Paint

Early in his career, Fajardo’s defense was all about using his size and positioning. He was a top rim protector, stopping shots mostly with his presence instead of aggression, and making it hard for opponents to finish inside.

Justin Arana, in contrast, plays defense with more aggression. He’s a strong shot-blocker who uses his athleticism and timing to challenge opponents. His quickness lets him rotate and cover more ground than Fajardo did early on. Arana’s defense focuses on disrupting plays, recovering fast, and contesting shots all over the paint. While Fajardo was steady and hard to move, Arana is more dynamic and reactive. Both protect the paint well, but they do it in different ways.

The Trajectory and the Future

It’s a huge challenge for any young player to be compared to a generational talent like June Mar Fajardo. His early dominance set a standard that might never be matched. Fajardo changed what it means to play center in today’s PBA.

But Justin Arana isn’t just copying Fajardo. He’s building his own path. Arana is a new kind of big man, fitting today’s game that values speed and a variety of skills. While Fajardo made his mark with strength and efficiency, Arana could be remembered for his athleticism and versatility. Comparing them highlights Arana’s potential and shows how the role of a great big man is evolving. The next star center might not be another Kraken, but could be the first Justin Arana.

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