Cagayan hosts jai-alai return

MANILA, Philippines - Jai-alai, one of the country’s favorite pastimes in the 70s and 80s, will make its grand return to the local scene beginning March 10 in Sta. Ana, Cagayan.

Meridien Vista Gaming Corp. (MVGC) is bringing back the game, regarded as the world’s fastest sport which was last played in 1986. An attempt to revive the game in 1994 didn’t push through when the Supreme Court ruled that gambling was against the national interest.

But MVGC has secured the license to set up and establish the jai-alai fronton within the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority or CEZA.

“We want to continue to promote jai-alai here in the Philippines because I see people here enjoy the game like I do,” said MVGC president Aitor Arana Totoricaguena, a former jai-alai champion who currently owns a production outfit in Spain and the US.

The main fronton, a state of the art court complete with gym equipment and other amenities, is located in Sta. Ana, Cagayan.

Eight Spanish pelotaris recently arrived to complete the roster of Cuadra de Pelotaris with Filipino players.

They would be grouped as Senior A, Senior B and Junior players.

Organizers said there will be dry-runs, particularly in the main event dubbed the Grand Special Llave, which will be aired nightly on IBC TV Channel 13, from 12 midnight to 1 a.m.