Jaro finally ends JB ABL Battle of the 7 Districts slump with 2026 title

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Runners-up no more.

After back-to-back heartbreaking grand finals losses, Jaro District can finally call themselves kings of the JB Amateur Basketball League.

On Sept. 6, 2026, the Jaro Titans concluded their JB ABL Battle of the 7 Districts “18-U Reloaded” campaign with a championship title after a come-from-behind victory over the Mandurriao Unbeatable in the finals, 65-63, at the PAREF Westbridge School grounds in La Paz, Iloilo.

Fresh off a massive win over the City Proper Stalwarts in the semifinals, Jaro was oozing with confidence heading into the finale after beating their tormentors, but this time, in the 18-U conference.

However, Mandurriao had other plans and was all gas, no brakes in the opening half of the championship match, outplaying Jaro on both ends of the floor to establish an early commanding double-digit lead.

To catch Jaro off guard, Mandurriao banked on crisp ball movement, finding wide-open shooters while doubling down on offensive rebounds.

Just when Mandurriao thought they could sustain their firepower, Jimuel Paredes stepped up when Jaro needed him the most as he slowly found his rhythm midway through the second quarter.

The talented hooper sparked Jaro’s comeback run in the frame as he relentlessly attacked Mandurriao’s paint with his athleticism and physical style of play.

Paredes’ offensive show helped Jaro erase a 12-point deficit and retake the lead, 33-32, turning the once lopsided affair into a mano-a-mano dogfight.

Mandurriao tried their best and engaged in a nip-and-tuck showdown with Jaro until the fourth quarter, but Paredes’ clutch outing stood out the most as he single-handedly willed the Titans to victory.

Paredes’ biggest impact came in the third quarter, when he dropped 13 points in the period alone to help the Titans cling to a five-point cushion before the fourth canto kicked off.

Jaro pulled away with a nine-point advantage midway through the fourth quarter, but Mandurriao showed some signs of life with a 9-3 closing run.

Unfortunately for Mandurriao, the Titans knocked down some clutch free throws down the stretch, which was enough to secure them this year’s JB ABL Battle of the 7 Districts trophy.

“The team won because of its mindset and hunger to win,” said Jaro’s assistant coach Alvin Lenaming in an exclusive interview with the Daily Guardian.

“We prepared well, executed our game plan, and when adversity came, the team showed composure and heart. In the end, it was teamwork, effort, and a shared commitment to winning that got us the result.”

Finally, champs! Congratulations, Jaro!