By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Mr. Jayphet Balbacal, founder and commissioner of the JB Amateur Basketball League (ABL), is gearing up for another banger that is sure to excite Ilonggos.
After JB ABL’s take over in the Ilonggo basketball scene, Balbacal is planning to widen his scope and will be building the JB Amateur Volleyball Association (AVA).
“Kay ga scroll ko one time sa Facebook kita ko daw puro basketball lang tanan. Tapos damo man organizations sang basketball diri sa Iloilo so tanan players well taken care of. Then na realize ko, other than basketball, volleyball na daun grabe nga sports. Te daw kalabanan kita mo pabalhas lang diri,” Balbacal tackled on how he came up with the idea in an exclusive interview with Daily Guardian.
In line with his vision of promoting a local scene for volleyball where players can develop their skill and gain additional exposure in the sport, Balbacal also aims to improve the grassroots program of the city. Balbacal intends to start first with the barangays in Iloilo and later on hopes to expand the league.
Balbacal intends to inject competition into the sport to reinvigorate the volleyball scene here in Iloilo and hopefully organize a consistent avenue where the sport and the players could thrive.
Presently, Balbacal is thoroughly planning the framework of the JB AVA and ironing out all the kinks to make sure he delivers the Ilonggos – like the JB ABL – a league they can be proud of.
“Plan ko sya ilaunch sa all-star game sang JB ABL. May footprints na ta diri,” Balbacal added.
