Cebu showdown looms over reopening of jai alai fronton

CEBU CITY -- Proponents of the return of jai alai to the city are serious in their efforts to reopen a fronton here but the city government and the city's two congressmen are also firming up their opposition to the move.

Cebu Amateur Pelotaris Association president Dioscoro Bosque told The Freeman yesterday that their members are seriously attending practice sessions in preparation for the reopening of the jai alai fronton in Mambaling.

Bosque said they are excited over the turn of events and are hopeful that the Mambaling fronton would reopen soon.

Of the more than 60 members of the pelotari association, Bosque said 40 have started practicing daily while training sessions are also held every weekend by noted pelotari Al Salgado who is reportedly commissioned by the Mirandas to train amateurs.

South Star, a consortium of 16 businessmen from Visayas and Mindanao, is seeking a franchise from Congress to operate a fronton in Cebu.

While the preparations are slowly gaining momentum, city officials are also cooking up opposition which is set to materialize in the congressional hearing set on the second week of February.

Rep. Raoul del Mar said he would do anything to stop the establishment of a fronton in the city.

"Even though the fronton is in Mambaling, the whole of Metro Cebu will be affected and I do not like that to happen here," he stressed.

Cebu City Mayor Alvin Garcia, said he would submit a position paper to Congress urging legislators not to allow the establishment of a fronton in Cebu.

"Though I was really frustrated with the entry of off-fronton booking stations, I will try to block the establishment of a fronton here," he said.

Thirty-six barangay captains from the urban barangays of the city's south district are also expected to meet with Rep. Nancy Cuenco to discuss their stand on the reopening of the Mambaling fronton.