Ford Arao

Claiford A. Arao (born October 29, 1984) is a Filipino professional basketball coach and former player. He was the fourteenth overall draft pick by Meralco in the 2010 PBA draft. He played for the Ateneo Blue Eagles during his collegiate career, in which he now serves as an assistant coach.

Playing career Arao played high school basketball in San Beda College High School. The San Beda Red Cubs won the 2002 NCAA juniors' basketball title with Arao as their starting center. Arao then played collegiate basketball in Ateneo de Manila University from 2003 to 2007. The Ateneo Blue Eagles reached the UAAP finals in 2003 and 2006, and fell short each time.

Arao was drafted by the Meralco Bolts in the 2010 PBA Draft. Arao played only one game in the Philippine Basketball Association. He played for three minutes, without registering anything from that lone game.

In 2016, Arao returned to playing competitive basketball as he signed with Byaheng SCTEX of the Pilipinas Commercial Basketball League.

Coaching career During Boyet Fernandez's first coaching stint with San Beda, Arao was one of his assistant coaches.

Arao was chosen as one of Yeng Guiao's deputies in the Philippine national team during the buildup for the 2018 Asian Games and 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifiers.

In 2024, he was appointed as head coach of the Ateneo High School basketball team.

PBA career statistics

Season-by-season averages