Second-year Ateneo Blue Eagles center Isaac Go has held his own against the UAAP’s topflight big men.
During the early stages of the season, 20-year-old big man Isaac Go played behind fifth-year center G-Boy Babilonia and Cameroonian student-athlete Chibueze Ikeh. He only played spot minutes during the first round, logging in just 47 minutes.
Standing at 6-foot-7 and coupled by a feathery touch, Go was seen as a project for Ateneo’s coaching staff. However, they had to hasten the process after G-Boy Babilonia was sidelined by an ACL injury during Ateneo’s second round encounter against La Salle. Go though took it as an opportunity, and once he got the ball, he had no plans of dropping it.
“He has to [step-up] with G-Boy [Babilonia] out,” first year Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin said about the matter. “Can’t say anything positive enough G-Boy but things don’t look positive with that ACL. It’s damaged but it’s not totally torn.”
It all started out against Ben Mbala and the La Salle Green Archers for Go. The Xavier High School standout tallied 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting and seven rebounds against the imposing La Salle frontline. Against the FEU twin towers of Raymar Jose and Prince Orizu, Go finished the game with 14 points and seven rebounds in just 15 minutes of action. He then capped the elimination round campaign with a nine-point, eight-rebound outing against Papi Sarr and the Adamson Soaring Falcons – Ateneo’s sixth straight win.
Baldwin was not a bit surprised with the production Go is giving their team but admitted that he was surprised with how his center accepted his new responsibility with the team.
“But Isaac has had to step up and he’s done a good job. We’ve had him on a progression plan and I think we had to accelerate that this year. But I think he’s managed it really well mentally and psychologically,” the American-Kiwi mentor remarked.
The National Team consultant quickly added that Go is just only scratching the surface of his ceiling.
“He is a very smart guy and composed for a young guy. He has good size and he has good strength but I think we are only scratching the surface on how good Isaac can become. That’s a story for the future,” he said.
“Right now, he’s stepping in, backing up [Chibueze] Ikeh, and he’s doing a good job. He’s giving us a little bit of offense here and there. But we’re just beginning to see what he can become.”
And with the Final Four just around the corner, another challenge lies for Isaac Go. Can he give the same energy once the light are at its brightest?
