Jorrel Aristorenas to represent Philippines in EA Sports FC 27 tilt in Miami

MANILA — Jorrel Aristorenas is set to represent the Philippines once more.

A former national team player with Sibol, Aristorenas will take on the best EA Sports FC 27 players in Miami, Florida next year after his triumph at the Red Bull Wings Cup Philippine National Finals on Saturday.

He previously donned the national tri-colors with Sibol in the 2022 Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam and the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

“It makes me so proud that I’m able to carry the country’s flag and represent us on the international level,” Aristorenas told select reporters after his victory.

Born in London, United Kingdom, Aristorenas not just plays virtual football; he also steps foot on the pitch, currently playing for the Maharlika FC.

“I was always a midfielder. I’ve been in the Philippines ever since 2015. I love it here. I mean, I found my wife here, started a family here,” Aristorenas shared.

Aristorenas bared that Philippines gave him the opportunities he didn’t have in the United Kingdom.

“I mean, I’ve always been a gamer ever since I was a young kid. But for me, when I came over to the Philippines, I was blessed to have these opportunities which I didn’t get back in the UK.”

Aristorenas is ecstatic with the rising popularity of football in the country, while acknowledging that the Philippines had always been a basketball-crazy nation.

“So I’m sure football in general has gained a lot of new fans, especially in the Philippines. Because I know a lot of Filipinos are not too familiar with football. Because our main sport here is basketball, right? It’s nice to see.”