MANILA, Philippines -- Long before Justin Arana became one of Converge's most important pieces in the PBA and started putting up big numbers, he had already imagined what it would be like to wear the Gilas Pilipinas jersey.
Now, after years of waiting, that opportunity has finally arrived.
Arana has been called up to the Gilas Pilipinas pool for the fourth window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, giving him his first chance to compete for a place on the senior national team.
"It's everything to me," Arana told ESPN.
"Ever since I was a kid, I've always dreamed of being part of it and, of course, representing the Philippines."
The timing of his inclusion could hardly be more fitting.
The 27-year-old has put up impressive numbers through nine games in the PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup: He is the No. 2 local scorer of the conference with 21.8 points per game, alongside 8.3 rebounds, while shooting at an excellent clip of 62% from the field.
Despite the uptick in his production, he understands that his Gilas dream comes with a reality check in a FIBA setting.
Arana knows the physical attributes that make him effective in the PBA will not necessarily translate against international frontcourts.
He will often be giving up several inches to the players he is expected to defend and rebound against.
"I just need to work hard because this isn't like the PBA, where I'm one of the bigger players," Arana said.
"Here, I'm really undersized. I need to put in double the effort to earn my spot and get accustomed to the international game."
It is a challenge that demands a different approach to the game.
With established stars around him, Arana's path towards a roster spot could instead come through the less glamorous parts of basketball by setting solid screens, battling for rebounds, defending at the post, and doing the dirty work that allows the team's bigger stars to operate.
That understanding could ultimately determine whether he can make the jump from being a productive PBA big man to becoming a useful international player.
"Maybe I should be a team player, be a role player, because there are already a lot of stars and scorers here," Arana said.
"That's definitely something I need to learn because, of course, to represent the Philippines, I'll give my all."
Arana's first Gilas opportunity comes at an important turning point for the national team's frontcourt.
June Mar Fajardo, who has been a fixture of Gilas Pilipinas for more than a decade, is set for his final tour of duty with the national team in the fourth window.
Arana is not being asked to become the next Fajardo, but he will need to prove that his game can translate to the international stage and that he can be relied upon when Gilas needs another big man in the years to come.