Days before leaving for the desert for the 2020 Dubai Basketball Championship, Mighty Sports made a late addition.
The Philippine-based club team added Gilas Pilipinas cadet and Ateneo product Isaac Go to its team that will compete from January 23 to February 1 at the Shabab Al Ahli Club.
And the addition of the 23-year-old, 6-foot-8 stretch big man is a welcome development for coach Charles Tiu.
“Isaac is great. He was the number one pick for a reason,” said Tiu about the pick of Columbian in the 2019 PBA Draft, who joins Kai Sotto, Beau Belga, Andray Blatche, and Renaldo Balkman to form a formidable frontline for his squad.
“He’s a smart player who picks up fast and can shoot.”
It will be a reunion of sorts for Go, since he joins fellow Blue Eagle Thirdy Ravena and Xavier Stallions like Joseph Yeo, Joaqui Manuel, Gab Banal, and Jarrell Lim.
This tourney that features the best of the Middle East will also be a good acid test for Go, according to Tiu.
“It’s going to be a great experience for him and it will help him prepare for Gilas too.”
Also on the team are Javi and Juan Gomez de Liaño; Dave Ildefonso; Jamie Malonzo; and Mikey Williams. Meanwhile, serving as one of Tiu’s assistant coaches is Angola national team head coach Will Voigt.
The squad also has the backing of Creative Pacific of Bong Cuevas, Go for Gold, Oriental Group, Discovery Primea, and Gatorade.