Discover Arana PBA Player's Journey to Becoming a Basketball Phenom in the Philippines

I remember the first time I saw Kevin Arana play—it was during a preseason game last year, and even then, you could tell there was something special about his defensive instincts. Fast forward to today, and watching NLEX defeat Converge 95-88 in their opening match of the 2025 Kadayawan Invitational Basketball Tournament only reinforced my belief that Arana is shaping up to be one of the most exciting basketball talents in the Philippines. The game, held at the USEP Gym, wasn't just another preseason matchup; it felt like a statement. Arana didn’t put up gaudy scoring numbers—he rarely does—but his impact was everywhere. His three steals in the fourth quarter alone shifted the momentum entirely in NLEX’s favor, and honestly, I haven’t seen many local players read passing lanes with that level of anticipation.

Arana’s journey to this point hasn’t been the typical superstar narrative we often see. He wasn’t a high school phenom dominating the UAAP, nor did he have the media buzz that follows some of his peers. Instead, his rise has been quieter, more methodical. I’ve followed his career since his college days with the San Sebastian Stags, where he was often overshadowed by flashier scorers. But if you looked closely, you noticed his relentless energy, his willingness to do the dirty work—the box-outs, the deflections, the hustle plays that don’t always make headlines. That’s the thing about Arana: he understands the nuances of winning basketball, not just the highlight-reel moments. In Thursday’s game, for instance, he finished with just 8 points, but his plus-minus of +15 was among the highest on the team. Stats like that tell you everything about his value.

What really stands out to me is how Arana has evolved since joining the PBA. I’ve spoken with a few coaches who’ve worked with him, and they all mention his coachability. He came into the league as a defensive specialist, but over the past 12 to 18 months, he’s expanded his offensive game. His three-point shooting, for example, has improved from around 28% in his rookie year to roughly 36% this season. That might not sound like a huge jump, but in a league where spacing is critical, it’s a game-changer. Against Converge, he hit two crucial threes in the third quarter when NLEX’s offense was stagnating. It’s that kind of growth that separates good players from great ones.

I’ve always believed that the best players leave their mark in ways that don’t always show up in the box score. Arana embodies that. His defensive pressure, combined with his improved decision-making, makes him a nightmare for opponents. In Thursday’s win, Converge turned the ball over 18 times, and I’d estimate at least 5 of those were directly forced by Arana’s on-ball defense. He’s not the tallest or the fastest guy on the court, but his positioning and timing are exceptional. It reminds me of some of the classic PBA defenders like Johnny Abarrientos—players who used their IQ to disrupt offenses.

Of course, Arana still has areas to improve. His free-throw shooting, for one, hovers around 65%, which is below average for a guard. But here’s the thing: he’s aware of it. In a post-game interview last month, he mentioned spending extra hours after practice working on his foul shots. That kind of self-awareness and work ethic is why I’m so bullish on his future. The PBA has seen plenty of talented players fizzle out because they lacked the drive to address their weaknesses. Arana isn’t one of them.

Looking ahead, I think Arana’s role with NLEX will only expand. The team’s system under coach Frankie Lim suits his style perfectly—up-tempo, defensively aggressive, and unselfish. In the Kadayawan Invitational alone, I expect him to average around 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game, but his real impact will be in intangibles. Leadership, for instance. At just 26 years old, he’s already one of the vocal leaders in the locker room, and that’s rare for someone who isn’t a primary scorer.

As the 2025 PBA season approaches, I wouldn’t be surprised if Arana becomes a household name. His journey—from an underrated college player to a key piece in a competitive NLEX squad—is a testament to perseverance. The win against Converge was just the beginning; mark my words, we’ll be talking about Arana for years to come. For fans and aspiring players, his story is a reminder that success isn’t always about raw talent—it’s about doing the little things, day in and day out, until they become big things. And honestly, that’s the kind of narrative I love covering in Philippine basketball.