ISAAC Go is going to the pros.
The 6-foot-8 slotman confirmed that he has submitted his application for the 2019 PBA Rookie Draft, signifying his preparedness to make the leap after crowning his collegiate career with a historic three-peat with the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
"It feels great and I’m really excited. I've worked hard for the last few years to get to this point. It's my next basketball journey after six years in Ateneo and I'm hopeful for what's in store," he said.
Go, a former member of the national youth team who was included in Chot Reyes' "23-for-2023" program for the 2023 Fiba World Cup, is one of this draft class' most sought-after talents, with pundits easily seeing him being taken in the top three - if not being the number one selection.
He understands the lofty billing he has to live up to, one that has also been seconded by Blue Eagles coach Tab Baldwin.
But despite the mock draftboards putting him at the top, Go focuses on what he can control, and that's to continue striving and proving himself day-in and day-out.
"There is pressure that comes with being a projected top pick, but nothing is set in stone," the 23-year-old bruiser said. "Those are high expectations, but if coach Tab puts that pressure on you, it means you can achieve it."
"I'm just going to continue to work hard."
Go averaged 9.3 points on a 36-percent shooting from threes, to go with 5.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 0.8 blocks in Cignal-Ateneo's run in the 2019 PBA D-League Foundation Cup title, enough to be named as the Conference MVP.
His numbers took a bit of a dip once the UAAP Season 82 men's basketball competitions rolled on, posting only 3.7 points, 3.2 boards, 0.6 blocks, and 0.5 dimes in his final season for the Blue Eagles while playing behind Ange Kouame and accepting the role of mentor to Will Navarro, Matthew Daves, Pat Maagdenberg, and Geo Chiu.
But don't be fooled by those numbers. Go is still a great draft choice owing his willingness to do the intangibles as one of the most intelligent players of this class, while also showing capability to be a big shot maker when the time calls for it.
Go's entry hikes the total for Ateneo players in the pool to six, with batchmates Matt and Mike Nieto and Adrian Wong, as well as seniors Vince Tolentino, and Aaron Black also throwing their names in the annual rookie selection process.
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