SWU-PHINMA players, coaches excited about upgraded Aznar Coliseum

The newly renovated Aznar Coliseum. CDN Digital photo | Brian J. Ochoa

Cebu City, Philippines—The historic Aznar Coliseum just received a much-deserved facelift and players and coaches are already excited to use it.

Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma recently unveiled the newly renovated coliseum on Thursday, May 16, 2019. 

The school explained that the upgrading of the coliseum is part of the school’s bid to provide its students and athletes with the best training facilities. 

Read more: SWU-PHINMA unveils upgraded Aznar Coliseum

Long considered to be the home court of the Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma Cobras, the Aznar Coliseum has bore witness to some of the fiercest basketball games ever fought here in Cebu, especially during the heyday of the defunct Cebu Amateur Athletic Association (CAAA).

“It feels great. There’s new energy. All of the boys are excited to do extra practice and to go back to the home court,” said Baby Cobras head coach Jerry Abuyabor.

Cobras star Shaquille Imperial said he is grateful to have a newly-renovated facility to practice at.

“Super excited because finally we can be able to experience the newly renovated gym and of course, it’s always best to practice our skills at our own court,” said the veteran guard.

Among the highlights of the new coliseum is the maple flooring that was installed by E-Sports International Inc. — a company that provides high-quality sports architectural innovations and effective wellness solutions.

But as appreciative as he is of the upgraded facilities of SWU-Phinma, Cobras head coach Mike Reyes asserted it is in his players’ hands how they will use it to turn things around.

The newly renovated Aznar Coliseum. CDN Digital photo | Brian J. Ochoa

“Syempre it’s a new gym, everybody will be excited to practice. Pero wala naman sa gym ‘yan eh. Kahit anong gym meron ka, it’s how hard you work on your game [that matters],” said the veteran head coach.

(Of course it’s a new gym, everybody will be excited to practice. But it’s not about the gym. No matter what gym you have, it’s how hard you work on your game [that matters].)

Asked if having a new gym will translate into better performance on the court, Reyes disagreed, saying, “It [will depend on] how you will give time in practice.”  

With most of his core players from last season returning, Reyes tempered expectations for his squad with the Cesafi season just a few months away. 

“I still rank ourselves still the same as last year, tied at last place with CIT-U. Nothing new [about the team] but there’s an import who’s interested to play but I won’t believe until he is enrolled.” /bmjo