CEBU CITY — The SM Seaside Cebu Arena will hold its first sports event on Sept. 26 as celebrity athletes from Team Sparkle and Team Th3rd Floor return to the court for “Bida Sa Arena: The Rematch.”
The celebrity basketball game will bring together actors, entertainers and musicians for the Cebu leg of the sports and entertainment property event created by iVybe and produced locally by Manyfest Production.
Team Sparkle will be led by David Licauco while Gerald Anderson will captain Team Th3rd Floor.
The two teams first met on May 3 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, where Team Th3rd Floor won, 96 89. The Cebu game will give Team Sparkle a chance to even the series even as Team Th3rd Floor seeks to maintain its winning record.
Ahead of the rematch, Licauco and Anderson met with fans and members of the media during a Media Day at SM Seaside Cebu on Sept. 6.
Team Sparkle’s lineup includes Rayver Cruz, Dustin Yu, Derrick Monasterio, Prince Carlos, Anthony Constantino, Shan Vesagas and Ralph Miaco, among others.
Team Th3rd Floor will also feature Richard Gutierrez, Jeremiah Lisbo, Gab Lagman, Arthur Nery, Johannes Rissler, Marco Gallo, Tristan Ramirez and Argel Saycon, among others.
Heaven Peralejo and Shuvee Etrata will serve as team muses.
The event will also feature performances by Flow G, G22, Jessica Villarubin, Marielle Montellano and Hannah Precillas.
The Manila led drew more than 10,000 fans in a sold out event.
Organizers said the Cebu leg will also attract fans from Metro Manila, Luzon, Mindanao and other parts of the Visayas.
The Sept. 26 event will be the first sports event at the newly opened SM Seaside Cebu Arena, which has a seating capacity of 16,000 and can accommodate more than 25,000 guests at full capacity.
The arena is located within the South Coast City development along the South Road Properties and is connected to SM Seaside City Cebu by a dedicated bridgeway.
Manyfest Production founder Maureen Eliot said the event would also highlight Cebu’s potential as a venue for major live events.
“For us, it’s an opportunity to showcase what Cebu and the Visayas can offer as a destination for major live sports and entertainment events,” Eliot said.
Tickets are available through SM Tickets, with prices ranging from P300 to P4,950.
The Sept. 26 event will also include a raffle for ticket holders present at the venue, with prizes including P100,000 cash for one winner, a trip for two to Vietnam for two winners, and P5,000 cash for 10 winners.
