The last time Isaac Go was in uniform, he was being helped off the floor. —PBA IMAGES
It’s been quite some time since the PBA saw Isaac Go take the floor for Barangay Ginebra, with an ACL injury sidelining the big man out of Ateneo since September last year in a game against Rain or Shine.
But being in civilian clothes on the sidelines doesn’t mean he’s not picking the brains of coach Tim Cone and the action on the floor every time the Gin Kings are in action.
Unfortunately, that’s the only thing he was able to do—learn the game from the outside looking in.
“The eagerness [to play] is really big,” said Go in Filipino during a joint luncheon between the PBA Press Corps and Titan Management Group on Thursday.
“Of course, people downplay it and say, ‘oh, he’ll make it next year,’ this and that but you never know,” he went on. “When you’re there, you just want to grab the chance, whether it’s in the semis or the Finals.”
Since Go’s untimely injury, the Gin Kings have made it to two Finals appearances.
And all he could do was watch.
“I know that at the same time, it’s a learning process,” Go said. “I got to pick the brains of the vets on the team on how to approach a seven-game series because back in college, we didn’t have that. We only have three games at most.
“The PBA Playoffs are structured differently and to finally experience it, at least I won’t be surprised when the time comes, even though I’m not playing [yet]. Hopefully, I will bring my learnings forward.”
Before his injury, Go didn’t actually get that much playing time, but showed glimpses of what he can do under Cone’s triangle offense.
In fact, he only played for seven games with the crowd darlings after he was traded by Terrafirma to Ginebra.
Leaving the Dyip actually made Go leave his pro career year, where he averaged 11.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.
He couldn’t quite deliver those same numbers for Ginebra when he did play. Those seven games weren’t enough. But Cone’s belief in him is huge, to say the least.
In fact, Go, who suffered a second ACL injury since 2022, was offered a one-year contract extension by Ginebra.
That’s exactly why the multiple UAAP champion can’t wait to see the floor with the Kings again.
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“I’m grateful that they put their trust in me and they [still] feel like I could possibly help the team,” he said. “[I’m] excited to get back. I want to repay their trust. I haven’t shown everything I can do yet and that’s what I’m really excited for.”
