Cebu Coliseum’s ₱100-M Makeover May Pave Way for PBA Return

After decades of hosting some of Cebu’s biggest sporting spectacles, the iconic Cebu Coliseum is on the verge of a grand comeback. Its ₱100-million renovation—bringing the arena up to modern, FIBA-approved standards—has caught the attention of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), which is now seriously considering holding games in the Queen City of the South once again.

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial expressed enthusiasm after learning of the improvements. The Coliseum now boasts a FIBA-certified wooden court, centralized air-conditioning, a new four-sided LED jumbotron, upgraded lighting and sound systems, and modernized seating.

“Totoo? Maganda iyan. Definitely we will hold games diyan,” Marcial stated. He added that several promoters in Cebu have already signaled interest in bringing the league back to the city.

Marcial said that once local organizers formally extend invitations, the PBA will dispatch a team to conduct an ocular inspection before scheduling games in Cebu.

First opened in 1962, the Cebu Coliseum has long been one of the most recognizable sports venues in the Visayas. For generations, it served as the home court for collegiate rivalries, professional exhibitions, and national tournaments.

The current renovation is the most extensive upgrade the venue has ever received, commissioned by Atty. Augusto W. Go, chairman and founder of the University of Cebu. The modernization project began in March 2025 and is expected to be completed in time for the 50th season of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (Cesafi), which opens on September 13.

The improvements extend beyond aesthetics. Accessibility has been enhanced for spectators, while the new facilities ensure players and coaches have world-class conditions that meet international basketball standards.

The timing of the Coliseum’s reopening coincides with a broader resurgence of basketball in Cebu. Earlier this year, the city welcomed back professional play through the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), where the Cebu Classics, later rebranded as the Cebu Greats, reignited the city’s presence in the national hoops scene.

With the PBA now expressing interest, Cebu could soon see elite professional basketball return in full swing—potentially boosting tourism, local business, and the city’s sporting reputation.

While the renovations are almost complete, final confirmation of PBA games in Cebu depends on scheduling, promoter coordination, and a successful venue inspection. Commissioner Marcial emphasized that the league remains open and excited about the prospect.

For basketball fans, the potential return of the PBA represents more than just games—it symbolizes a reconnection between the country’s premier basketball league and one of its most passionate fan bases outside Metro Manila.

As the Cebu Coliseum prepares to open its doors once more, the buzz is building. If plans push through, the city’s upgraded sports hub could once again echo with the cheers of thousands, ushering in a new era for Cebu basketball.