SM Group to build new arena in Cebu

THE sports scene in Cebu City is set to get a much-needed shot in the arm as a new arena is set to be built by the SM Group of Companies.

According to a report posted on Spin.ph, plans are underway to construct a state-of-the-art arena which is expected to be completed in three years. It will resemble a smaller Mall of Asia Arena.

The development is refreshing news for a city that has been in need of a newer and bigger venue to host its sports events, specifically both collegiate and professional basketball as well as boxing.

It can be recalled that the recent Game Five of the finals in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) which was held at the half-century old Cebu Coliseum was marred by several technical hitches which delayed the match by more than two hours.

With the electronic scoreboard and shotclock malfunctioning, tournament officials had to turn to primitive means such as using a whiteboard to show the score while the shotclock was being periodically announced by the coliseum barker, in order to finish the game.

Aside from the Cebu Coliseum, the only other viable gym options are the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex and the Hoopsdome in Lapu-Lapu City.  /Correspondent Jonas Panerio