IF plans push through, college basketball will leave the historic Araneta Coliseum at the end of the season as both the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and the National Collegiate Athletic Association are looking at the possibility of holding their games at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, which will be fully constructed in April next year.

Hans Sy, one of the sons of retail magnate Henry Sy, who has recently obtained ownership of National University, has already given the nod for the league to use the brand-new arena, since NU will be hosting next year’s UAAP season.

“I was advised by Mr. Hans Sy that the new sports arena at the SM MOA complex in Pasay City will be ready by April. So, we will host it there. Hopefully, yes, we will hold all the games for the rest of the season,” said NU athletic director Junel Baculi.

The NCAA, meanwhile, has reportedly entered into a contract to also use the new venue, with next year’s host Letran spearheading the move.

The NCAA will actually get the first crack of hosting its league at the MOA Arena, since its season starts a week ahead of the UAAP.

If ever, this will be the first time in the history of both the UAAP and the NCAA that basketball games will not be held at the Big Dome, in Quezon City, which was built in 1958.

Baculi describes the Arena as a 15,000-seat stadium and is located at the left side of the SM MOA complex.

It also has seats at its bleacher section, unlike at the Araneta Coliseum where the bleacher area has no seats.