Cardel sees Isaac Go play key role for Dyip next season

With young big man Isaac Go slowly gaining his confidence in the ongoing PBA On Tour, Terrafirma coach John Cardel sees the former Ateneo Blue Eagle playing a big role when the Dyip aim for a solid showing in the PBA's 48th season this coming October.

The Dyip have won three of their last four games to move to an even 3-3 record in the preseason games.

The team's three-win output thus far included wins over TNT. 104-92, NLEX (110-96) and just last Sunday, a 107-102 triumph against Meralco in a game that saw Eric Camson fire 30 points.

The 27-year-old Go averaged 9.75 points and 6.5 rebounds in over 22 minutes of action in the last four games, numbers that Cardel believes will only improve as his young slotman becomes more and more accustomed to playing in the PBA.

“Isaac is not yet 100 percent but he's getting there. And he's been playing well so far,” Cardel told the Manila Times in Filipino.

“He's a big guy, has the size and heft, and now, he not only shoots from the outside, but he attacks inside and goes hard for the layup, which will really be huge for our team as we prepare for next season,” he added.

Isaac Go (right) PBA PHOTO

Go is coming off an injury riddled season last year that saw him miss a huge chunk of the games due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament, and meniscus tear on his knee, which he sustained in June 2022.

Cardel said the newfound confidence of Go to play will augur well for the team, which is shooting for no less than the playoffs when the PBA's 48th season kicks off this time with the Commissioner's Cup.

The Commissioner's Cup next season will allow each team to bring in a 6-9 import, while foreign squad Bay Area will be back for the second straight season.

Cardel said they have yet to finalize the Dyip's 6-9 reinforcement, but definitely, they need someone who can provide inside dominance to pair with Go at front court.

“We definitely an import who brings an inside presence so that Isaac can play the 4 spot since he can shoot also from the outside,” he added.

Terrafirma has missed the playoffs for the last 15 conferences. The Dyip franchise's first and only playoff appearance happened during the 2016 Governors' Cup when the team was reinforced by 22-year-old American import James White and Chris Gavina still calling the shots.