Young Miguel Jubilado has emerged as a stabilizing force for the UST Tiger Cubs’ star trio—Jhon Canapi, Dustin Bathan, and Andwele Cabanero—in their impressive run in the UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Basketball Tournament.
While Jubilado showed moments of nervousness during UST’s 10-4 elimination round campaign, his composure and steady presence were on full display as the Tiger Cubs opened their Finals series against the dominant University of the East Junior Warriors on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Facing a UE squad that had won 14 of its last 15 games, Jubilado shook off the nerves of his Finals debut and delivered a breakout performance. He tallied 23 points—15 of which came in the first half—alongside eight rebounds, four assists, and three blocks, powering UST to a commanding 98-84 victory in Game 1 of the best-of-three Finals.
Thanks to the trust and support of his coaches and teammates, Jubilado’s heroics have brought the Tiger Cubs within one win of their first high school basketball title since Season 64 (2001), when Jun Cortez led UST to glory.
“Medyo may kaba kasi first time ko sa Finals. Buti na lang, naging maganda laro naming lahat at nagbubunga na yung sacrifice namin at tough love nila coach,” shared Jubilado, a product of San Antonio Village Elementary School in Antipolo.
“Nung pinagpawisan na ako, natanggal na yung kaba ko. Nag-focus na ako sa game, then the rest followed. Siguro kaya rin nawala yung kaba dahil sa tiwala ng teammates at coaches ko. Maghahanda lang kami sa training, magiging mas focused pa sa next game para makuha na namin yung championship. Talagang paghahandaan namin, at kailangan naming puliduhin pa ang defense,” he added.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
For head coach Noli Mejos, Jubilado’s inconsistent play during the eliminations has become a thing of the past. The 15-year-old forward has stepped up in the playoffs, elevating his game at the right time. After averaging 12.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.4 steals during the eliminations, Jubilado has boosted his numbers to 15.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game in the Final Four and Finals.
Mejos acknowledged Jubilado’s improvement but cautioned against complacency, especially with the elusive high school basketball championship now within reach.
“Sa tingin ko, timing yung peak ng mga player. Nagkaintindihan na kami, hindi na kami nag-aaway. Nag-aaway kasi kami palagi, pero ako lang nangaaway sa kanila. Lumabas yung lahat ng pinaghirapan nila. Naintindihan nila kung bakit ako nagagalit,” Mejos shared.
The stakes are especially high for Mejos, who was part of UST’s Team B when the Tiger Cubs last won a juniors title in 2001. A championship-clinching victory in Game 2 this Sunday at 11 a.m. at the SMART Araneta Coliseum would mark the end of a 23-year title drought.
“Dahil nung 2001, Team B player pa ako ng UST, ‘yon yung time na nag-champion yung juniors. Ngayon, mas gusto ko makuha para matapos na yung ilang taon na hindi nagcha-champion. Sana makuha na namin sa next game. Maghahanda kami—papagalitan ko ulit sila. Dapat huwag kami maging complacent. Viewing, lahat. Mag-aaway ulit kami,” Mejos added with a chuckle.
As UST aims to secure the crown in Game 2, Jubilado and the rest of the Tiger Cubs are laser-focused on bringing home the long-awaited championship and cementing their place in UAAP history.
