The Cinderella run is looking good for the boys from España.

The UST Tiger Cubs closed in on a UAAP title after stunning the UE Junior Warriors, 98-84, in Game 1 of their finals match in the UAAP Season 87 junior high school basketball tournament on Wednesday, Dec. 11, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

“Siguro nga lumalabas na yung lahat ng sacrifice ng mga bata. Especially yung training. Naging buo kami. Especially nakakatulong na yung big man ko,” Tiger Cubs head coach Noli Mejos said.

Jhon Canapi was named player of the game, tallying 30 points on 5-of-11 three-point shooting, six rebounds, and 3 steals.

“Magpe-prepare lang po kami nang maayos, yung mga utos po ng coaches gagawin po namin at paghahandaan po talaga namin yung game two para makuha na po namin yung championship,” Canapi said.

Miguel Jubilado, Nickson Cabañero, and Gab Castro also balled out for UST, combining for 54 points, 27 rebounds, and 13 assists, respectively in the winning effort.

The first salvo was a thrilling back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading blows throughout the quarter.

The Junior Warriors unleashed an 11-5 rally courtesy of Gab Delos Reyes, Jolo Pascual, and Kiefer Panganiban to secure a four-point advantage in the middle of the quarter, 15-19.

UST pounced back through an 11-2 run propelled by Cabañero, Roi Balague, and Jubilado,to end the first quarter five points ahead, 26-21.

The Espana-based squad continued to floor the gas pedal in the second quarter, opening a 26-6 rally ignited by Cabañero, Jubilado, Balague, Canapi, and Castro to increase their lead at halftime, 52-27.

The Recto-based team rallied back in the third salvo, knocking in 10 straight buckets through Goodluck Okebata, Mav Mesina, Enrico Bungar, and Gab Delos Reyes, 68-45.

UE unleashed another 11-2 rally ignited by Pascual, Panganiban, and Delos Reyes to cut the lead down to 21 entering the final canto, 77-56.

The Tiger Cubs reclaimed supremacy as Cabañero, Canapi and Jubilado fired up three consecutive long bombs to start the final period, 88-62.

Cabañero and Canapi continued to make it rain from downtown as the Tiger Cubs padded their lead back to 29, 94-65.

UST’s benchwarmers took charge in the remaining minutes of the game to end the final canto with a 14-point advantage, 98-84.

Ethan Oraa paced UE in their loss, tallying 14 points, six rebounds, and 3 steals while Bungar and Panganiban combined for 26 points and 7 assists, respectively in the losing effort.

The España-based squad will aim to claim their first UAAP crown in 23 years as they play the Junior Warriors again on Sunday, Dec.15, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“Maghahanda talaga kami nang maaayos para hindi na umabot ng game 3. Paghahandaan namin sila. At yung defense namin, kailangan namin mas ayusin,” Canapi said.