IF there’s one player from the Ginebra bench intent on helping the team after two straight defeats in the finals last season, it’s big man Isaac Go.
The 6-foot-7 former Ateneo standout sat out the rest of the 49th season beginning in the Governors’ Cup due to an ACL injury and watched from the sidelines as the Kings fell to the TNT Tropang 5G in the Big Dance of the First Conference and the Commissioner’s Cup.
But Ginebra is keeping its faith in the former Gilas Pilipinas mainstay after it signed him to a one-year contract extension.
“Of course, grateful ako. They still put their trust in me that they gave me a one-year extension. They feel that I could possibly help the team,” Go said. “Excited to get back. Gusto ko rin na suklian ang trust nila sa akin. At first, they traded for me na hindi ko pa makita kung ano talaga ang kaya ko.
“So, that’s what I’m really excited to come back and reward the trust that they have at ibinigay sa akin that they got me and gave me a one-year deal,” he added.
Go said he is still doubtful for the pro league’s golden anniversary tilt set to come off the wraps on Oct. 5 but possibly early next year.
The opportunity to be in the finals—although in street clothes—should only boost Go’s savvy of how it’s done on the biggest stage.
“Malaki talaga iyong gigil and siyempre, parang people always play down na, ‘Oh, I’ll always make it the next year. I’ll always make it the next year’ and parang you never know. When you’re there, you wanna grab the chance,” Go said. “Whether semis or finals. So, parang iyon na. But also understanding that it’s a process, parang there’s no point in rushing back, this is just gonna cause problems for everybody. At the same time, it’s a learning process.
“I got to pick the brains of the vets and the team na how to approach a seven-game series because sa college wala namang ganoon. Hanggang three games lang, at most.”
Go, 29, said he will bring all the lessons from an abbreviated maiden stint with Ginebra when he comes back and will trust the process.
“Iba iyong structure ng PBA playoffs and to finally experience it, parang at least, hindi na ako mabibigla, even though I’m not playing,” he said. “So, hopefully, na madala ko iyong learnings ko next year, moving forward.”
“I’m just ready for whatever role coach Tim (Cone) will give me and whatever opportunity will be presented.”
