Times International achieved their fourth win in the Himalayan Java National Basketball League (HJNBL) 2026 by defeating PlayBox Arena 85-73. Meanwhile, Army team maintained their top position with 9 points from five games after beating ROEL 103-75. Eight teams are competing in the HJNBL, with the top four advancing to the playoffs.
Kathmandu, 5 Chait – In the 2026 edition of the Himalayan Java National Basketball League (HJNBL), Times International Club secured its fourth win. The match held on Thursday at the covered hall of Dashrath Rangashala in Tripureshwor saw Times International defeat PlayBox Arena by 85–73 points.
Times International took an early lead with a 26-16 advantage in the first quarter. They extended their lead marginally in the second quarter by 16-15, maintaining a 42-31 lead at halftime. They won the third quarter 23-17. Although PlayBox Arena outscored Times 25-20 in the fourth quarter, it was not enough to overturn the result. Kamal Thapa of Times International was named Player of the Match.
Following their fourth win from five games, Times International have accumulated 9 points. The Army team, although still second due to point differential, is also on 9 points after beating ROEL 103-75 in Wednesday night’s game. The Army team has recorded four wins and stands clearly ahead with 9 points, while ROEL has gathered 6 points from five matches, suffering four defeats.
Organized by the Nepal Basketball Association (NEBA), the second edition of the HJNBL features eight competing teams. The league follows a double round-robin format with a total of 56 matches scheduled. The top four teams after the league phase will qualify for the playoffs. The playoff format includes a first qualifier between the top two teams, and an eliminator match between the third and fourth placed teams. The loser of the first qualifier faces the winner of the eliminator in the second qualifier, with that winner advancing to the final against the winner of the first qualifier.
The tournament champion will receive a cash prize of NPR 400,000, while the runner-up will be awarded NPR 200,000 and the third-placed team NPR 100,000. Additionally, the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament will be granted an attractive prize, as announced by NEBA.
