Isaac Go
Isaac Go is a Filipino professional basketball player known for his role as a center in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Born George Isaac Yap Go on June 7, 1996, he measures 6 feet 7 inches (201 cm) tall and was selected as the first overall pick in the 2019 PBA Rookie Draft by the Columbian Dyip (later Terrafirma Dyip).[1][2][3] Go's basketball journey began in his youth, where he initially struggled with the sport's demands despite encouragement from his brother, eventually representing the Philippines in the FIBA Asia U16 Championship. During his college years at Ateneo de Manila University, where he studied BS Management of Applied Chemistry, Go transformed under coach Tab Baldwin's rigorous training, shedding significant weight and emerging as a key contributor to three UAAP men's basketball championships. His clutch performances and leadership solidified his reputation as a reliable big man.[3] Transitioning to the professional level, Go debuted with the Dyip and quickly earned a spot on Gilas Pilipinas, the national team, where he served as captain and helped secure a perfect 6-0 record in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers; he also contributed to the Philippines' success in the 2020 Dubai International Basketball Championship with Mighty Sports. In 2024, he was traded to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, a powerhouse franchise, where he aimed to establish himself as a cornerstone player. However, his progress was halted by an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury sustained in September 2024 during a game against Rain or Shine, sidelining him for an extended recovery period. In August 2025, Go signed a one-year contract extension with Ginebra, expressing determination to repay the team's faith upon his return.[3][4]Early life and education
Early life
Isaac Go was born on June 7, 1996, in the Philippines.[2] He is the son of George Go, a businessman, and Carol Go, a homemaker.[5] Go grew up in a conservative family in Quezon City, where his parents emphasized traditional values and role modeling in raising their children.[5] As the younger brother of Gian Go, who harbored a deep passion for basketball despite physical limitations that prevented him from playing competitively, Isaac was initially reluctant to engage with the sport.[5] His early interest developed through family support and his brother's encouragement, as Gian often urged him to join informal games to build skills and manage childhood asthma.[6] The family's involvement helped shift Go's preferences away from indoor activities like video games and collecting toys toward physical pursuits. Go's first organized basketball experience came around age 10, when he joined a training program at Xavier School aimed at developing future varsity players in local youth leagues.[5] This marked the beginning of his structured exposure to the game, laying the groundwork for his later high school basketball career at Xavier School and eventual commitment to Ateneo de Manila University for college.[6]High school and college career
Isaac Go attended Xavier School in San Juan, where he emerged as a standout big man during his high school years, earning recognition as a premier rebounder in the Metro Manila Tiong Lian Basketball Association (MMTLBA) and selection to the Seaoil NBTC High School All-Star Game, which highlighted top junior talents across the country.[7] His impressive performances in high school basketball, including contributions to Xavier's success in local tournaments, drew attention from top collegiate programs and paved the way for his recruitment to the Ateneo de Manila University.[8] Following his family's basketball legacy, Go committed to Ateneo in early 2014, prioritizing the institution's strong academic offerings—specifically to study BS Management of Applied Chemistry—alongside its competitive basketball environment.[7][9] Upon enrolling at Ateneo de Manila University for the 2014–2015 season (UAAP Season 78), Go's freshman year was derailed by a season-ending shoulder injury requiring surgery in June 2014, which sidelined him for the entire campaign.[10] He underwent a rigorous rehabilitation process, gradually returning to play in limited minutes during his sophomore year in UAAP Season 79 (2016–2017), where he focused on building strength and conditioning under the guidance of coach Tab Baldwin, through rigorous training that included shedding significant weight.[11][3] By his junior year in Season 80 (2017–2018), Go had fully recovered, emerging as a key contributor off the bench with consistent double-double performances in points and rebounds during critical stretches, helping the Ateneo Blue Eagles secure their first championship in five years.[12] Go's role expanded in subsequent seasons, contributing to Ateneo's back-to-back UAAP titles in Seasons 81 (2018–2019) and 82 (2019–2020), marking three consecutive championships during his college tenure from 2017 to 2019.[13] In his senior year of UAAP Season 82, he provided reliable depth as a 6-foot-8 center/power forward, averaging 4.3 points and 3.2 rebounds in 13 minutes per game while supporting the team's historic undefeated 16-0 sweep.[14] Following the conclusion of his amateur career, Go declared for the 2019 PBA Draft on November 28, 2019, applying as one of the top projected picks after leading Ateneo to its three-peat.[15]Professional career
Terrafirma Dyip (2021–2024)
Isaac Go was selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Columbian Dyip—later rebranded as Terrafirma Dyip—in the special Gilas Pilipinas draft on December 8, 2019, following his standout college career at Ateneo de Manila University where he contributed to multiple UAAP championships.[16][17] His entry into the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) was delayed due to national team obligations with Gilas Pilipinas, preventing him from suiting up during the 2020 season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.[18] Go made his PBA debut on October 8, 2021, during the Philippine Cup, starting as center for Terrafirma and recording 13 points and five rebounds in a 78-71 victory over the Converge FiberXers. In his rookie conference, he appeared in 11 games, averaging 8.5 points and 5.3 rebounds while providing rim protection and interior presence as the team's primary big man, though Terrafirma struggled with a 4-7 record and missed the playoffs.[19] Go continued playing in the 2021 Governors' Cup after signing a two-year contract extension, but his role remained developmental amid the team's ongoing rebuild.[20] A major setback occurred on June 12, 2022, when Go suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and meniscus in his right knee during a Philippine Cup game against NorthPort Batang Pier, forcing him to miss the remainder of the 2022 season and undergo intensive rehabilitation.[21][22] The injury, which sidelined him for over eight months, tested his resilience but allowed time for focused recovery, with Go emphasizing a cautious approach to regain full strength.[23] Go returned to action in the 2023 Philippine Cup, gradually rebuilding his conditioning and showcasing enhanced rebounding prowess, averaging 5.2 rebounds per game across 25 games in the 2023-24 season while contributing 8.8 points on 41.3% field goal shooting.[19] His improved interior play, including key double-doubles, helped anchor Terrafirma's frontcourt and propelled the team to the playoffs for the first time since 2016 during the 2023-24 Philippine Cup, where they reached the quarterfinals before falling to San Miguel Beermen with a twice-to-win disadvantage.[24][25] On July 13, 2024, ahead of the PBA Rookie Draft, Go was traded to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel along with guard Stephen Holt and Terrafirma's third overall pick in exchange for veterans Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle, plus Ginebra's tenth overall selection, marking the end of his tenure with Terrafirma after 52 games and a foundational role in the team's progression.[26][27][28]Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (2024–present)
Isaac Go joined Barangay Ginebra San Miguel via a blockbuster trade from Terrafirma Dyip on July 13, 2024, alongside guard Stephen Holt and the third overall pick in the upcoming PBA Rookie Draft, in exchange for veterans Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle plus the 10th overall pick.[27][29] The move generated excitement among fans and analysts, positioning the 6-foot-7 center as a promising backup big man to bolster Ginebra's frontcourt depth with his athleticism and rebounding prowess.[30][26] Go's tenure with Ginebra was quickly disrupted by injury during the 2024 Governors' Cup. On September 13, 2024, in a game against Rain or Shine, he suffered a non-contact knee injury after a bad landing while defending, later diagnosed as his second anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear following a similar issue during his time with Terrafirma in 2022.[31] This limited him to just seven games in the conference, where he averaged 4.2 points and 3.1 rebounds per outing in brief rotations.[32][33] Throughout his rehabilitation in early 2025, Go focused on a cautious recovery to avoid setbacks, undergoing surgery and intensive therapy while sidelined for most of the 2024-25 season.[34] As of November 2025, Go continues his rehabilitation from the ACL injury, aiming for a full return during the 2025-26 season without rushing his recovery.[31] On August 2, 2025, Ginebra rewarded Go's perseverance with a one-year contract extension into the PBA's 50th season, despite his ongoing recovery.[35] Go expressed gratitude for the team's faith, stating, "I want to repay their trust by coming back stronger and contributing on the court," while emphasizing a measured approach to his rehabilitation.[36][4] In his sparse appearances prior to the injury, Go provided defensive value through shot-blocking and rebounding in short stints, helping stabilize Ginebra's interior during a transitional period. As of November 2025, Barangay Ginebra holds a competitive standing in the ongoing 2025-26 Philippine Cup.[37][38]Career statistics
PBA season-by-season averages
Isaac Go's performance in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has been marked by limited playing time due to injuries in several seasons, affecting his statistical output. The table below details his key per-game averages across seasons.| Season | Team | GP | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | BPG | FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–22 | Terrafirma Dyip | 6 | 12.5 | 4.7 | 2.8 | 0.2 | 0.2 | .462 |
| 2022–23 | Terrafirma Dyip | 2 | 7.2 | 4.5 | 2.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | .400 |
| 2023–24 | Terrafirma Dyip | 25 | 24.7 | 8.8 | 5.2 | 1.2 | 0.7 | .413 |
| 2024–25 | Barangay Ginebra San Miguel | 7 | 13.5 | 3.1 | 2.3 | 0.4 | 0.9 | .263 |
Career totals and highs
Isaac Go has appeared in 40 regular season games across his PBA career as of the end of the 2024–25 season, posting career averages of 7.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.4 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game.[19] The following table summarizes his regular season career totals:| Statistic | Total | Per Game Average |
|---|---|---|
| Games Played | 40 | - |
| Points | 279 | 7.0 |
| Rebounds | 168 | 4.2 |
| Assists | 34 | 0.9 |
| Steals | 16 | 0.4 |
| Blocks | 24 | 0.6 |