MANILA — Iloilo scored an unprecedented two-division triumph in the UAAP on Wednesday after National University’s Karl Ann Pingol and University of the East’s Goodluck Okebata clinched the Season 88 Most Valuable Player awards in the women’s and boys’ basketball divisions, respectively—marking one of the strongest showings yet by Ilonggo athletes on the national collegiate stage.
Pingol, the 5-foot-7 forward from Pototan, Iloilo, punctuated her final year by capturing the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Basketball MVP at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. She amassed 93.571 statistical points (SPs), edging Ateneo star and last season’s MVP Kacey Dela Rosa by 2.142 SPs.
Anchoring NU’s dominant 12-2 elimination run, Pingol averaged 14.29 points, 8.93 rebounds, 5.14 assists, 3.57 steals, and 1.07 blocks—numbers boosted by two triple-doubles. She now joins elite company as only the third Lady Bulldog MVP after Afril Bernardino (2014–16) and Jack Animam (2017), and is set to suit up for Gilas Women in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games.
“Malaking confidence booster siya para sa akin… I just played my game and followed our system. Na-surprise lang ako na ‘yon yung naging outcome,” Pingol said.
In the junior boys’ division, Lambunao native Goodluck Okebata made history of his own by becoming the first UE Red Warrior in 21 years to win a regular-season MVP plum. The 6-foot-4 standout collected 96.214 SPs—just 0.571 ahead of University of Santo Tomas’ Rowie Cabañero.
Okebata posted monster averages of 19.71 points, 13.43 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.29 steals, and 2.5 blocks, steering UE to an 8-6 finish. He is the school’s first MVP since Julius Porlaje won the award in 2004.
“Itong MVP na ito, it’s not only for me. Para rin ito sa mga kuyas, coaches, at magulang kong nagtitiwala sa akin,” Okebata said.
Cabañero, who recorded two triple-doubles during the eliminations, earned Rookie of the Year honors in the 16-and-under division, while Ateneo’s Erica De Luna was named women’s Rookie of the Year.
Joining Pingol and Dela Rosa in the women’s Elite Team are Negrense Kent Pastrana (UST), Kristine Cayabyab (NU), and Angel Surada (NU). The boys’ Elite Team includes Okebata, Cabañero, Enriquez (FEU-Diliman), Moussa Diakite (NU-Nazareth School), and Prince Cariño (FEU-Diliman)./PN
