SMB new boy Ryan Arana vows not to hold back against former Rain or Shine teammates

SAN Miguel Beer new boy Ryan Arana said he won't be holding anything back when he meets his former Rain or Shine teammates on the court in the coming PBA season.

Arana said nothing will change except the uniform he will be wearing, a day after parting with his long-time team in a three-team trade that saw Barako get former SMB first-round pick Ronald Pascual and Rain or Shine acquire a 2016 second-round pick from Barako.

"Siyempre, kung paano ako lumaro dati, ganoon pa rin ako ngayon regardless na Rain or Shine o ibang team ang kalaban ko," said Arana, for so long one of the tough guys in coach Yeng Guiao's team.

"Hindi naman ako matatakot na makipagbanggaan o pisikilan kahit kanino. Uniporme ko lang naman ang nagbago," he added.

[See Arana ends up at SMB in three-team deal; Barako gets Ronal Pascual]

Arana, Rain or Shine's pick at No. 12 overall in the 2007 rookie draft, said in all his years in the pro league he has never changed his style of play which he said he patterned after his dad's favorite player, Robert Jaworski.

"Nasanay kasi ako sa laro sa mga barangay namin, ganito na ako nun, nakikipag-sabayan. Bakit ka naman matatakot di ba? Pare-pareho lang naman kaming mga player," said Arana, who waited for a long time outside the dugout during Jaworski's retirement ceremony in 2012 to have a photo-op with the 'Living Legend.'

Arana is elated to finally wear the San Miguel jersey, saying his dad has always shared to him the glamor of the multi-titled franchise back when he was growing up in Pag-Asa, Quezon City.

"Lagi ngang sinasabi sa akin ni Papa nuong araw na, 'Yang San Miguel, isa sa mga pinaka-prestihiyosong team yan. Tamang tama nung time na 'yun, nag grand slam pa sila," said Arana, referring to the Beermen's season sweep in 1989.

[See Rain or Shine governor explains decision to trade Arana]

However, Arana didn't hide the fact that his favorite team growing up was Ginebra.

"Dati gusto ko lumaro sa Ginebra, pero sabi ng papa ko, iba raw ang legasiya pag nagsuot ka ng San Miguel jersey, winningest team sa PBA 'yun in terms of championships," said Arana.

"Pero siyempre, San Miguel kasi eh kapatid ng Ginebra 'yun. And sobrang happy ko napunta ako sa organisasyon na ito. I hope to contribute the best way I can," he said with a smile.

Arana is expected to provide the needed hustle and physicality to San Miguel's defense while playing the role of slasher who could open up spaces for June Mar Fajardo and the Beermen's lethal shooters.

"Yun yata ang magiging role ko rito, kasi nakita nila na madalas ginagawa ko sa Rain or Shine yun," he said.

At the same time, Arana insisted he harbors no ill feelings toward Rain or Shine or his former mentor, Guiao, even if his playing time dipped significantly over the last two seasons before he was traded last Wednesday.

"Wala akong sama ng loob. Ginagalang ko desisyon ni coach Yeng. Saka isa pa, ang dami kong natutunan sa kanya. At ako pa nga ang dapat tumanaw ng utang na loob sa kanya," he said.

"Mas naging matapang ako dito sa PBA dahil pinagkatiwalaan ako ni coach Yeng."