How to write this properly?

Question

"If you ask someone why they rewarded someone else, they will tell you that they deserve it." I think that the intended meaning is pretty clear, but how do you say that properly without falling into a math-y kind of sentence like: "If you ask person A why they rewarded person B, person A will tell you that person B deserves it." Having a hard time coming up with something that's not too ... heavy.

Answer 1

Superior performance is the offered explanation for the practice of providing a reward.