Last year, Goodluck Okebata was the rookie — the untapped talent — during the University of the East’s golden run in the UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Boys’ Basketball Tournament.
Throughout that campaign, he showed glimpses of his potential, averaging 6.0 points and 7.94 rebounds per game.
This season, however, the 15-year-old Fil-Nigerian is the lone remnant of that championship squad. And with that comes the pressure to lead the Junior Warriors.
“Defend the championship lang talaga,” the 6-foot-3 forward shared.
“Alam ko kasi kung ano yung pinaghirapan namin last year ‘eh, tapos ngayon gusto rin namin na tuloy-tuloy lang din at gusto namin malaman ng lahat na may chance kami i-defend yung championship.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
So far, Okebata has carried the responsibility well. He is averaging 18.5 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks, steering the Junior Warriors to a 1-1 record early in the season.
But more than the numbers, Okebata is now embracing the role of an “older brother,” drawing from the lessons he learned from former teammates like Gab Delos Reyes, Jolo Pascual, and Mav Mesina.
“Bilang captain lang, I encourage the boys. Kapag may ginagawang mali, sinasabihan ko lang na it’s normal lang basta bumawi lang kasi nadaanan ko na rin ‘yon,” he said.
“More on encouragement tapos show din sa game, ipapakita ko lang.”
UE head coach Matthew Sia is proud of Okebata’s growth, noting that leadership — beyond just producing stats — will be key in their bid to retain the crown.
“Si Goodluck soft-spoken lang ito pero pinapakita niya through his actions. Nakikita ng mga rookies kung ano ginagawa niya sa court — duma-dive and all — kaya nakakahawa rin, everyone is diving also for the ball and hustling,” Sia said.
“‘Yan naman talaga role ni Goodluck ever since, pero ngayon, more touches lang for him.”
