MANILA, Philippines — Terrafirma's sweet-shooting big man Isaac Go figured out how to make things uncomfortable for seven-time league Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo.
The 6-foot-7 Go made Fajardo work double-time on the defensive end, knocking down six triples en route to a career-high 22 points as Terrafirma pulled off a shocking 106-95 triumph against top seed San Miguel to force a do-or-die match in their PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals.
"That's the game plan," Go said, referring to his three-point shooting spree. "When you go up against like June Mar, he's a rim protector. Our offense even as a team, we took 14 threes. I just kept shooting, that's what we have to do to beat San Miguel."
Serving as one of the team's leaders, Go has been at the forefront of Terrafirma's renaissance in this conference, which is having its best performance as a franchise since its only playoff appearance during the 2016 Governors' Cup.
The 27-year-old Go said playing against the Beermen require their A-game.
"Alam natin champion team ito. They've been through it all. Sanay sila na down, sanay sila na lamang, they do it all, this team has 'been there, done that,'" he added.
Still, Go knows the job is not yet done.
And this means every member of the team will have to chip in if the Dyip wish to complete their quarterfinal task of pulling off the biggest upset in league history.
"We know we have to be better. We need to bring the extra effort to hold the lead," said Go.
The Dyip hope to get a piece of PBA history when they clash with the Beermen in their do-or-die game.
For one, the last time a top seed got beaten twice was during the 2019 Governors' Cup quarterfinals where then no. 8 seed NorthPort bundled out top seed NLEX.