How the 2025 top senator fell in love with basketball: Senator Bong Go opens up about his sports journey, Senate Sentinels victories, and why Atoy Co influenced his life

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go revealed that his lifelong love affair with basketball began with a childhood idol: Atoy Co. In an interview on True FM's Power and Play with Atty. Noli Eala on May 17, Senator Go shared that his passion for sports, especially basketball, is deeply personal...rooted in childhood memories and later reinforced by his work in the Senate and friendships with Philippine basketball legends.

"Ang una kong idol sa basketball si Atoy Co. 1983 'yung shooting n'ya, magaling mag-3 points. Dito pa 'yon kinukuha, pa-ganyan ang tira n'yan. So noong napanood ko s'ya, nagustuhan kong maglaro ng basketball," Senator Go said, recalling how he used to watch games in the early 1980s as a young fan.

"Eight years old, 1982 pa 'yon, '83 napapanood ko pa 'yon. Napapanood ko pa 'yung Crispa, na-disband sila noong 1983 'yung Crispa tapos lumipat siya ng Great Taste, panahon pa nila Ricky Brown 'yon. So siya 'yung idol ko."

Fortunato "Atoy" Co Jr., known as "The Fortune Cookie," is one of the most prolific scorers in Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) history. He starred for the legendary Crispa Redmanizers in the 1970s and 1980s, became the first player to reach both 5,000 and 10,000 career points in the league, and won the PBA Most Valuable Player award in 1979.

Famous for his smooth turnaround jump shots and charismatic flair on the court, Co remains a towering figure in Philippine sports and currently serves as commissioner of the UNTV Cup.

Decades after idolizing Co, Senator Go would find himself playing under his leadership. "Kagabi nagkita kami, nanood po ako ng PBA. Siya kasi 'yung UNTV (Cup) Commissioner ngayon na nakapaglaro rin po ako for two years sa Senate Sentinels. Back-to-back champion na po ang Senate Sentinels sa UNTV."

Senator Go added that it was a full-circle moment meeting Co again. "Sabi ko nga kay Comm. Willie Marcial, hindi ako mahihilig sa basketball kung hindi dahil kay Atoy Co."

His stories were not just rooted in nostalgia, they were backed by action. As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Go has long advocated for rehabilitating sports infrastructure and funding grassroots programs.

"Pumupunta po ako ng Ultra at proud na proud po ako na after 41 years, natulungan natin na ma-rehabilitate, upgrading of PhilSports Complex," he said. "Bilang chairman ng Sports, ito pong rehabilitation ng Rizal Memorial Complex na ating ipinaglaban rin po."

When the topic shifted to the link between sports and politics, Senator Go emphasized the value of supporting athletes who transition into public service.

"Let me just cite athletes now who won a seat... for example Gary David, former PBA... councilor po s'ya sa Bataan... Dinalupihan. Si Lakay Danny Ildefonso, Barangay Captain sa Pangasinan, at sinuportahan ko po sila dahil sila po ang nag-oorganize doon sa kanilang barangay, sa kanilang bayan ng sports programs," he said explaining how former athletes turned public servants have been instrumental in promoting grassroots sports development.

He issued a call to action for newly elected athlete-politicians: "Hinihikayat ko po 'yung mga nanalo, mga athletes before, please magtulungan po tayo... isang paraan po ito na tulungan natin ang atin mga athletes. Ang grassroots program, d'yan talaga nagsisimula lahat 'yan... doon natin madi-diskubre ang mga athletes natin."

During his proclamation speech in Manila on the same day, Senator Go said the country should further advance sports development, especially in the grassroots, "so that aspiring young athletes can be given the opportunity to improve their skills and, hopefully, eventually produce more Olympic medalists who will bring honor to our country."

"That is why I keep encouraging fellow Filipinos, especially the youth, to get into sports, stay away from drugs to keep us healthy and fit," he added.

Senator Go thanked the public for entrusting him with a second term in the Senate and reiterated his lifelong advocacy to support Filipino athletes, especially those with limited means.

"Asahan n'yo po bilang inyong senador, sa abot ng akin makakaya, bukas ang aking opisina... lalo na po 'yung walang-wala, na walang kakayahan pero may potential na mag-excel po sa sports... kaya hinihikayat ko po ang ibang sektor na makipagtulungan po tayo."

He added, "Ako po ay nagpapasalamat sa ating mga kababayan sa pangalawang pagkakataon na maging senador... salamat rin kay former President (Rodrigo) Duterte na naging mentor at inspiration ko na maging public servant. Isa lang po ang pinaalala n'ya sa akin: sabi n'ya, gawin mo lang 'yung tama--interes ng bayan, interes ng mga Pilipino. At ngayon po, idadagdag ko lang: ang interes ng mga atleta."