Isaac Go appeared extra motivated whenever he goes up against June Mar Fajardo and San Miguel.
If you aspire to be great, you have to go after one.
Such was Terrafirma big man Isaac Go’s mindset, especially when squaring off against San Miguel counterpart, seven-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo.
That only makes sense.
Before carving a legend that will forever endure, even former Chicago Bulls superstar Michael Jordan had to dethrone the likes of Isiah Thomas and Magic Johnson in the NBA.
“[Siya] 'yung kailangan kong bantayan if I really want to make a mark in the PBA. One way or another, it’s going through June Mar Fajardo,” said Go.
Isaac Go | Photo (c) PBA
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Go has been successful in that regard, so far.
In the Dyip and the Beermen's elimination round meeting, the 6-foot-10 slotman went toe-to-toe with Mo Tautuaa to set his previous career-best of 21 points built on seven three-pointers.
Terrafirma lost, though.
Go made sure to rewrite that Saturday, May 11, as he unleashed six triples on his way to etching a career-high 22 points to power the Dyip to a 106-95 win over the Beermen that forced a winner-take-all match in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup quarterfinals.
All this while defending Fajardo – a gargantuan task laid on his shoulder by Terrafirma coach Johnedel Cardel.
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"Against June Mar, of course, Isaac is doing good doon kay June Mar, which is nakakapagod tauhin si June Mar. Pero sabi ko nga, just limit him. Just limit him, OK na tayo doon," said Cardel.
This was met with skepticism from Go, who was left chortling after noting that Fajardo still produced 21 points and 16 rebounds in the loss.
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"Coach, limit, 21 pa rin? 21-16?" said Go between suppressed laughter, trying to show the stat sheet he held to his mentor.
"21 pa rin ba?" asked Cardel.
"Sabi ko naman, i-take out natin 'yung three points basta si June Mar, OK lang tayo," explained Cardel.
June Mar Fajardo | Photo (c) PBA
Fajardo missed his lone attempt from the three-point area, going 10-for-18 from the field in nearly 37 minutes of play. He also produced three assists and three steals while floundering with three turnovers.
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For Go, facing Fajardo, an 'all-time great,' is a blessing - one does not easily get the chance to size up one's talents against the likes of the Cebuano behemoth and so, he is pushed to do his best.
“There’s a reason why he is in the GOAT (greatest of all time) conversation. Blessed ako kasi not everyone gets the chance to play against an all-time great,” Go said.
“Me having the chance to play against him, blessing siya. At the same time, competitive ako, na I want to try my best, I want to leave it all out there.”
Fajardo apparently noticed Go's stellar showing in the match and returned the praise.
“Maganda ang ipinakita niya. Maganda ang game niya,” said Fajardo.
Go needs to sustain this form, as well as the rest of the Dyip, if they want to keep this Cinderella story going.
“All of us wanted to continue this. You never want to see this story end. We want to keep it going as much as possible,” he said.
Terrafirma and San Miguel tangle anew in their do-or-die match for a semis seat on Wednesday, May 15.