Jollo Go has an extra chip on his shoulder during his stint with Marinerong Pilipino this 2022 PBA D-League Aspirants Cup.
The 5-foot-10 sharpshooter was a pick in the third round of the 2022 PBA Draft by Converge. However, it did not translate to a contract.
With that, Go feels fueled by that downer. And it showed in the Skippers’ 86-74 victory over APEX Fuel-San Sebastian College, Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“Definitely. Siyempre,” said Go, when asked if falling short of his PBA dreams makes him more motivated.
“Kaya dito ko pinili maglaro eh, kaya sa ibang liga hindi,” added Go, who unloaded a game-high 23 points on a hot 6-of-12 clip from deep alongside 10 assists and four rebounds against the Stags.
“Masakit na hindi ako naka-sign. Akala ko makaka-sign ako eh.”
But with this opportunity to lead Marinerong Pilipino together with former Japan B.League players Juan Gomez de Liaño and Kemark Cariño, Go will surely take advantage of it.
Especially since this squad consists mainly of the core of Mapua University set to compete in NCAA Season 98.
(C) PBA Images
“Thankful ako kay Coach Yong [Garcia] sa tiwala na hinahayaan niya ako laruin yung laro ko saka sa Mapua core,” he said.
“Masaya ako na nakakalaro ulit ako, nakukuha ko ulit yung feel ng laro. Tsaka masaya ako na maganda yung samahan namin ng mga players ni Coach Yong.”
With collegiate players as his teammates, Go was also designated as one of the vocal leaders of this youthful side.
Go, though, admitted that it was a big change for him, having all these players look up to him.
“Hindi pa naman ako ganon katanda so medyo meron pa ako doon sa college level and alam naman natin na sa college level hindi ako nagbloom or ano,” said the 25-year-old La Salle product.
“Ako nga yung nahihiya dahil sobrang respeto kahit hindi naman ako ganon katanda sa kanila.”
