JB ABL kicks off Inter-Ball III 39-up conference

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

A month after concluding the School Wars III Reloaded, the JB Amateur Basketball League (JB ABL) returned to action on Nov. 23, 2025, and officially commenced the Inter-Ball III 39-up conference at the Burgos-Mabini Covered Court.

After a school-based format, JB ABL went back to its roots, once again catering to the various active ball clubs hooping around Iloilo City.

“Inter-Ball season na naman,” JB ABL commissioner and founder Jayphet Balbacal said in an exclusive interview with Daily Guardian.

“After sang aton School Wars, the JB ABL family is once again excited maka bonding ang aton different ball clubs sa City of Love.”

Initially, the JB ABL Inter-Ball III features two categories, but the 39-up kicked off first and will be followed by the open category.

The 39-up is comprised of six competing teams: LEPRECHAUNS x TUNESQUAD, ATVBC, Eagle Eye, Overdraft, Black Hat, and Team Academy.

Team Eagle Eye already had a convincing start in the tournament after dominating Overdraft, 95-69, in the first scheduled game last Sunday.

Taking over for the ballers from Eagle Eye was Empin Gucana, who couldn’t be stopped from the perimeter area en route to a 22-point performance.

The next game also ended in a lopsided affair after Black Hat pulled off a wire-to-wire victory over the undermanned Academy squad, 79-40, led by Jeffrey Calma’s 15 points.

“We expect a tight competition this conference. Almost all clubs nag-upgrade naman and may new teams kita nga gin-welcome. Let’s just play the game right and with respect, labi na gd, wala lang tni injuries sa tanan,” added Mr. Balbacal.