When the final buzzer sounded to seal University of the East’s 22–13 victory over De La Salle Zobel in the bronze medal game of the UAAP Season 88 Under-16 3×3 Basketball Tournament, it also marked the end of the junior high school career of one of the division’s top prospects: Goodluck Okebata.
Okebata, the 6-foot-3 standout from Iloilo, wraps up his Under-16 stint with an impressive résumé that includes a Season 87 5-on-5 championship, the UAAP Season 88 Most Valuable Player award, and a podium finish he secured last Sunday at Ayala Malls Manila Bay alongside Zion Aguilar, Sean Felizmenia, James Mesa, and Mark Perdigon.
“Actually, we just worked hard lang,” said the Filipino-Nigerian forward. “’Di namin nakuha yung goal namin na mag-champion, pero at least nag-podium kami. ’Yan ang goal namin — na may makuhang award, ’di ba? I’m just proud of my boys, proud of us.
“Nag-work hard kami all through this week. Sa day one, isa kami sa pinakamababa. Ngayon, third place kami.”
As the 15-year-old transitions into the next phase of his high school career, one question now looms large: Will he continue to represent University of the East, or will he move to another school?
Adding to the uncertainty is the departure of Strong Group Athletics — the program that supported UE’s high school basketball teams and women’s volleyball squads — casting doubt on Okebata’s future as a Junior Warrior.
For the prized prodigy, who earned the UAAP Season 88 5-on-5 MVP award after averaging 19.71 points, 13.43 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks in the elimination round, any announcement regarding his next destination remains under wraps — for now.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“I don’t have a decision yet, but you guys will see,” said Okebata.
“Just wait for my story.”
With everything still up in the air, the Season 87 gold medalist remains grateful for the journey he experienced as a Junior Warrior.
He more than repaid the trust placed in him by former coach Andrew Estrella, who first discovered him through a simple scroll on social media.
Closing the door on a successful chapter is never easy.
Yet for Okebata, it also signals an opportunity to turn the page — to embrace a fresh start and pursue even greater success in the chapters still to come.
“Super grateful lang po,” he said. “Nagpapasalamat ako kay Lord, sa parents ko, sa lahat ng mga sumusuporta sa amin; sa mga coaches sa improvements ko; and sa teammates ko — sa mga kakampi ko ngayon. Last year ko na po sa 16-under. I’m just gonna work myself hard again.
“You’ll see me again sa 19-under.”
When asked what he hopes to gain in the next chapter of his emerging basketball career, Okebata kept it simple, pointing to fulfillment that he believes comes with winning.
“The goal: a championship. More improvements, more chemistry, more memories.”
