Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
In just two games, Isaac Go turned from Ateneo’s jovial center to a cold-blooded, clutch-shot maker.
Go’s still the same lighthearted big man for the Blue Eagles but he’s established himself as one reliable scoring option when Ateneo is in dire need of points.
He did it in the Final Four in Ateneo’s 88-84 win over Far Eastern University when he hit the game-tying three that sent the game into overtime and an improbable kneeling bank shot in the extra period.
And Go did another of his backbreaking baskets this time in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball Finals when he punched home a bank shot with 10.4 seconds left that gave Ateneo a 75-70 lead over defending champion De La Salle.
Go said it was his team’s collective trust on each other that made the shot possible for him.
“First off, I have to thank God because without him none of this would be possible,” said Go Saturday after their 76-70 win at Mall of Asia Arena. “Second, I guess, it’s the trust again. Thirdy [Ravena] passed me the ball to show that we don’t care who scores the last two points or the crucial baskets.”
READ: Ateneo holds on, beats La Salle in Game 1 of UAAP Finals
Ravena first shook off the double team of Ricci Rivero and Abu Tratter before bouncing a pass to Go, who then had to get a shot up against Kib Montalbo and Ben Mbala that earned him a trip to the foul line for the game’s final point.
Go, who finished with five points, two rebounds, and two assists, was quick to defer the praise given to him saying that any Blue Eagle could’ve taken the clutch shot.
“Even though I could’ve scored it, or anybody else, we would’ve looked at that rather than saying I scored or Matt scored or anybody else,” said Go. “At the end, it’s for Ateneo.”