EDITORIAL TEAM/JET HILARIO
Jet Hilario
Player Profile Series: James Aranas – “Dodong Diamond”
Zoren James Aranas, a native of Cavite, Philippines, is a Filipino professional pool player known by his nickname "Dodong Diamond."
He made his debut on the Action Pool Tour (APT) in 2017, going undefeated through a strong field of 48 entrants. He began his six-match run to the winner’s circle with an opening-round shutout and capped it off with victories over the APT's top-ranked player, Shaun Wilkie, in the hot seat match, and Reymart Lim in the finals. The event was hosted by Q Master Billiards in Virginia Beach, VA.
In 2018, Aranas secured his first international title after defeating Chris Melling twice at the first Annual Asian Culture Day, held at the Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. This event marked the opening of the Efren Reyes retirement tour. In 2019, Aranas claimed the ten-ball title at the Super Billiards Expo Diamond Open, defeating Oscar Dominguez 13–10 in the final.
In 2022, he reached the finals of the APP Asian 9-Ball Open in Singapore but fell short against Taiwan's Ko Pin-yi, 11–13.
On February 3, Aranas was detained and deported back to the Philippines. He was held in a room alongside several athletes and artists from outside the United States who were on tourist visas, most of whom were from Europe.
Full Name: Zoren James Aranas
Birthdate: April 29, 1992
Hometown: Cavite Province
Achievements:
2024 CPBA Nine-ball Teams Invitational (Philippines vs. Chinese Taipei)
2023 Bandung Open Ten-ball Championship
2023 World Cup of Pool - with (Johann Chua)
2023 Manny Pacquiao Cup Ten-ball Doubles - with (Jeffrey Ignacio)
2021 TTMD Ten-ball Open
2021 Annual Brendan Crockett Memorial
2020 Scotty Townsend Memorial Nine-ball
2019 Predator Qualifier Ten-ball Championship
2019 Star City Ten-ball Shootout
2018 Music City Classic Open
2018 1st Annual Culture Day Open Ten-ball
2018 Maryland State Nine-ball
2017 Action Pool Tour Eight-ball Division
He was questioned for twenty-seven hours before having his visa revoked, being issued a citation, and informed that he was banned from entering the U.S. for the next five years. Authorities stated that his participation in a tournament while on a tourist visa violated immigration rules, and that he would need to obtain either an athlete or working visa to compete in the country.
At the 2023 World Cup of Pool, Aranas was selected to represent the Philippines alongside partner Johann Chua.
Aranas and Chua found their rhythm and clinched the final rack to advance to the semifinals. Aranas scored a golden break that helped the Philippines edge past the Spanish duo of Jonas Souto and Jose Alberto Delgado, setting up a quarterfinal clash with the Ko brothers.
They reached the final, where they faced the German tandem of Joshua Filler and Moritz Neuhausen. The Filipino duo triumphed 11–7, becoming the first unseeded team to win the World Cup of Pool.
In 2024, the San Miguel Corporation–Philippine Sportswriters Association (SMC–PSA) recognized Aranas, along with Chua and Carlo Biado, for their outstanding achievements in billiards.
The SMC–PSA Awards honor the distinction, commitment, and accomplishments of athletes and organizations that have significantly contributed to the nation’s international sporting success.
News
In a show of unity and commitment, the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), and the Office of the Chef de Mission (CDM) came together for a Coordination Meeting of the Task Force for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, set to take place in Thailand next year.
The meeting, attended by POC Secretary General Atty. Wharton R. Chan, PSC Executive Director Atty. Guillermo B. Iroy Jr., and Chef de Mission Dr. Jose Raul Canlas, underscored the country’s collective effort to ensure smooth preparation and strong representation in the regional meet.
According to the POC, the session aimed to strengthen coordination among key sports bodies and address logistical, administrative, and performance-related plans for the Filipino athletes bound for the 2025 SEA Games.
“This coordination is essential to ensure that our athletes get the support and structure they need to perform at their best,” said Dr. Canlas.
With a spirit of “Strength in Unity,” the collaboration signals a unified front for Team Philippines — as the nation’s top sports leaders rally behind the athletes set to bring pride and glory to the country in Thailand.
The Philippine volleyball community is mourning the loss of Ike Andrew Barilea, a rising star from Alas Pilipinas Men, who passed away as announced by the national team on Tuesday. He had just celebrated his 21st birthday two days ago.
The team did not disclose the cause of his death but shared a heartfelt message on Facebook, paying tribute to the young and passionate spiker whose energy and dedication left a lasting mark on the program.
“The court feels emptier, and our hearts heavier. Rest easy, ALAS IKE BARILEA. Thank you for the laughter, the memories, and the heart you gave to the team. Heaven gained an angel, but we lost a piece of ours. Fly high, our dear ALAS,” the statement read.
Barilea, a proud son of the Visayas, was part of the Alas Men’s training pool for the upcoming 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship under coach Angiolino Frigoni.
He also suited up for Alas Pilipinas-Cignal in the 2025 AVC Men’s Volleyball Champions League, and played for 1 Silay Volleyball Club in the PNVF U21 National Volleyball Championships.
Known for his enthusiasm, humility, and love for the sport, Barilea was seen as one of the promising young athletes in Philippine volleyball — a talent gone too soon, but whose spirit will continue to inspire teammates and fans alike.
Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone is hoping to have naturalized player Justin Brownlee back in action in time for the start of the team’s training camp next week as preparations ramp up for the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
The national team will begin camp on November 17 at the Inspire Sports Academy, aiming to build chemistry and conditioning ahead of the first window of the qualifiers, which begins on November 28.
Cone expressed optimism that the team will be complete by then, including Brownlee, who has been “missing in action” recently amid reports of pneumonia, causing him to miss Meralco’s recent East Asia Super League games.
Neither Brownlee nor the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has issued an official statement regarding his condition.
Despite this, Cone remains focused on ensuring Gilas is fully prepared before facing Guam on November 28 at the Calvo Field House in Guam, followed by a rematch on December 1 at the Blue Eagle Gym in Ateneo.
Meanwhile, Kai Sotto will remain sidelined as he continues rehabilitation from an ACL injury earlier this year. His spot in the lineup will be filled by Quentin Milora-Brown, who has been cleared by FIBA to play as a local.
“We just want to get going and make sure everyone’s ready,” Cone said, emphasizing the importance of starting camp strong to maintain Gilas’ momentum heading into the qualifiers.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is moving closer to enforcing a complete ban on transgender women competing in female events, signaling a major shift in Olympic policy.
Under the leadership of newly elected IOC president Kirsty Coventry, the organization aims to establish a unified global framework to “protect the integrity of the female category” across all sports. A move that could take effect within the next six to twelve months, in time for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Previously, individual federations were allowed to set their own inclusion rules, but Coventry is pushing for consistency, citing scientific reviews highlighting the long-term physical advantages of being born male.
The potential policy is also expected to align with the stance of U.S. President Donald Trump, who earlier signed an executive order barring transgender women from competing in female sports.
However, the IOC continues to face internal debate over how to handle athletes with differences in sexual development (DSD), those reported female at birth but with male chromosomes and elevated testosterone levels.
The Meralco Bolts aim to sustain their early momentum and secure a second consecutive win as they take on the visiting Macau Black Bears in the continuation of the 2025 East Asia Super League (EASL) this Sunday at the Cebu Coliseum.
Fresh off their 85-76 triumph over the Taoyuan Pilots in Ilagan, Isabela, the Bolts are brimming with confidence as they return to action—this time in front of Cebuano fans eager to witness top-tier regional basketball.
The matchup will also serve as the season debut for the Macau Black Bears, who are looking to make a strong first impression against a Meralco squad that has shown early signs of cohesion under coach Nenad Vucinic and deputy Luigi Trillo.
Adding depth to Meralco’s roster are their reliable imports Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Ismael Romero, alongside naturalized player Ange Kouame and Asian import Sina Vahedi of Iran. Their chemistry will be key as they look to impose their pace and defensive discipline against the dynamic, fast-paced style of the Black Bears.
Beyond the competition, the Cebu showdown will also carry a deeper purpose, as the EASL announced that all ticket proceeds will be donated to victims of Typhoon Tino, which recently struck parts of Cebu and nearby provinces.
With pride, purpose, and playoff positioning at stake, Meralco will try to electrify once more—this time, in the Queen City of the South.
