Isaac Go had rarely seen action during his first year with the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles back in 2015. Playing a total of just 39 minutes during his rookie year, he was hardly a factor during their campaign last season.
But the limited minutes he had during his rookie year did not deter the former Xavier High School standout. After playing just eight minutes in their opening round encounter against La Salle, the 6-foot-7 center had arguably his best all-around performance of the season during their second round face-off, Saturday afternoon.
“Isaac played big for us and got rebounds. He played intelligently by being the outlet when we were under pressure. His minutes were important,” Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin remarked about the 20-year-old.
Go played a 23 minutes during the game. He finished with 10 points and seven rebounds, but his stand against Ben Mbala was his biggest contribution, limiting the Cameroonian student-athlete to a horrid 5-of-13 shooting, seven-turnover game.
“I just prayed to God for guidance,” Go quipped when asked about how he had prepared for Mbala.
“It was difficult. Everyone knows he’s a great player and anybody you put at him is going to have a tough time for the whole game.”
During the first half, Go played 10 minutes. Mbala struggled heavily during that frame, going 0-for-5, and was forced to four turnovers. But it was just half the battle for the third-year Atenean.
“In the first half, I could keep up with him but in the second half I kind of struggled. He’s Ben Mbala, he doesn’t get tired!” he continued.
“He’s a great player, physically gifted, unbelievable!”
And all his efforts bore fruit as Ateneo took an 83-71 win, drawing first blood against the Green Archers this season. More importantly, the Blue Eagles are now in the hunt for the second seed currently held by the FEU Tamaraws. A huge boost to a team that had low expectations going into the season.
“It’s a confidence booster for us. Every win counts now while any possible motivational boost means a lot for us. Right now, there’s a sense that ‘we can.’ As long as we stick with the game plan and have each other’s back, anything’s possible,” he said.
While Go and the Blue Eagles did the improbable Saturday afternoon, it’s now up to them to set what they can actually think is possible entering the next round of the tournament.
