IF THERE is one team most eager to welcome a former Gilas Pilipinas player, it is Terrafirma.
Bobby Rosales, the Dyip’s representative to the PBA Board and the league’s current vice-chairman, said open arms await Isaac Go once a deal is struck with the stretch big man as expected.
“Nag-usap na kami, but nothing final yet,” Rosales told Malaya-Business Insight. “Nakausap ko ng personal si Isaac over the phone and he said he’ll discuss it first with his manager. So next is makikipag-usap kami sa agent niya.”
At 6-foot-8, Go is literally and figuratively the biggest among the five former Gilas players released by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas after their contracts expired last Monday.
Rey Suerte, Allyn Bulanadi and twins Matt and Mike Nieto were also with Go when they were taken by pro teams in a special draft by the PBA in 2019, with the understanding they could not turn pro until released by the SBP.
Terrafirma (then known as Columbian) made Go the top overall pick in that draft, with Blackwater taking Suerte at second, NLEX nabbing Mike Nieto at third, Alaska choosing Bulanadi at fourth and Rain or Shine picking Matt Nieto at fifth.
All the other members of that special class are reportedly set to be signed up and Rosales said Terrafirma is bent on doing the same to Go.
“Tingnan natin. Sana maging maganda usapan,” said Rosales. “Pero definitely kailangan matapos na at least within the week.”
Although they have other centers in Joseph Gabayni and Kyle Pascual, the Dyip are still in dire need of another big man after losing Roosevelt Adams and Matt Ganuelas-Rosser to free agency.
What adds to Rosales’ optimism is the fact that Go has joined the Dyip’s team practices before his Gilas stint, from which the team executive gained some insight on the former Ateneo star’s mindset.
“Definitely he would like to play in the PBA. Before he went to Gilas he joined our workouts.
Mabait na bata,” related Rosales.
There is also the matter of the Governors Cup set to resume next Friday, making it imperative for Go and his handlers at Titan Sports Management to reach a deal with Terrafirma.
“Alam naman nila na Feb. 11 resumption so the earlier he could join the practices the better,” noted Rosales.
“It will take some time also before he can blend with the team. Although he knows already some of what we run because sabi ko nga he used to join our practices before. So familiar na siya.”
The Dyip may not yet see action once the tournament resumes, having already played five games while some teams, like leader Magnolia and fellow unbeaten Meralco, have only seen action in three at most.
