JB ABL set to kick off first hoops league in Iloilo City

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The biggest basketball league in the City of Love is back.

After months of hiatus in the Iloilo City basketball scene, the JB Amateur Basketball League (JB ABL) is set to bring another set of exciting tournaments to cater to the thousands of Ilonggo hoops enthusiasts.

JB ABL founder and commissioner Jayphet Balbacal confirmed the latest update in an exclusive interview with the Daily Guardian last April 1, 2023.

According to Balbacal, a developmental league strictly for the Ilonggo youth ballers will be marking his return to the hoops scene in the metro.

This league will be in partnership with Wilson Basketball Philippines and will have three initial categories: Under-12, U-15, and U-17 and is open to both public and private schools in Iloilo.

Hours after posting the update, JB ABL already received tons of entries from numerous schools not only in the city but also from the Province of Iloilo.

“Tyempo naman ni that we will open our doors to the future of Iloilo hoops. After several open leagues, organizing a developmental league para sa aton mga kabataan became my plan dugay na and I am excited to execute this together sang committee,” said Balbacal.

Further details and the final tournament format is yet to be released as well as the final venue and the tip-off date.

Aside from the developmental league, Balbacal also revealed that a separate tournament involving the best of the best ball clubs in Iloilo City will also begin this month or early May.

“Yes, may ara man kita league, inter-ball club sa mga interested groups diri sa Iloilo. Already closed the final number of participants. See you all!” closed Balbacal.