Aranas, Chua rule World Cup of Pool

MANILA, Philippines — For a decade now, the world seemed to have forgotten why the Philippines has been the epicenter of the billiards universe.

On Sunday night at the cavernous Pazo de Feiras e Congresos de Lugo in Spain, the marvelous Filipino tandem of James Aranas and Johann Chua reminded everyone of the country’s magnificence.

With lady luck smiling and their shot-making wizardry unabated, the 31-year-old Aranas-Chua duo pulled off magical victories in the semifinals and finals to claim the World Cup of Pool title and reestablish the country as the best in the planet with a record of four titles in tow.

The unheralded pair was nothing short of electric in disposing of 2019 champions Albin Ouschan and Mario He of Austria in the semis in an epic hill-hill 9-8 win reminiscent of the former’s quarters triumph over Taiwan’s Ko Pin Yi and Ko Ping Chung the night before.

Then they decimated the German blitzkrieg of Joshua Filler and Moritz Neuhausen, 11-7, in the finale to crown themselves champions in the sport dominated by the Filipinos for decades.

It was title No. 4 for the country after the legendary Efren “Bata” Reyes and Francisco “Django” Bustamante reigned supreme in 2006 and 2009, and Dennis Orcollo and Lee Van Corteza prevailed in 2013.

It took a full decade for the tiny archipelagic country to take back the crown in the sport akin to the Filipinos.

And it was because of the sustained artistry and the nerves of steel displayed by these men nicknamed “Dodong Diamond” (Aranas) and “Bad Koi” (Chua) in the Scotch doubles event (9-ball, alternate shots, alternate break).