When the final buzzer sounded at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, signaling the end of De La Salle University’s triumphant run in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament, Jacob Cortez did something that went beyond statistics: he passed the ball to the stands, straight into the hands of his father, Mike.
It was an assist 23 years in the making — a symbolic connection between the past and present King Archers, and a poignant moment of redemption for a family intertwined with La Salle’s basketball legacy.
For Mike Cortez, the feeling was intensely personal.
He left La Salle decades ago under the shadow of the Green Archers’ Season 65 heartbreak, a loss to archrivals Ateneo Blue Eagles that ruined a five-peat dream and left lingering doubts and whispers.
Watching his son claim La Salle’s 11th UAAP championship offered a cathartic reversal of fortune.
“Redemption,” said Mike, the first-round pick of the 2003 PBA Draft, when asked how it felt to witness his son on the winning side after more than two decades.
“Redemption for me. Jacob told me he was gonna win this one for me, prove all the haters wrong — and he did it. He did it.”
The years of waiting, reflection, and hesitation about reclaiming a place in La Salle’s gallery were erased in an instant.
Throughout Season 88, fans of all generations approached the Cortez family, taking photos, sharing memories of Mike’s own glory days, and cheering for Jacob’s brilliance on the court.
Now, father and son have their rightful places together in the green gallery. Mike could once again enjoy La Salle basketball, surrounded by former teammates turned coaches like Mon Jose and Renren Ritualo.
“Yeah, look at my friends here. Of course, it’s like 2000 and 2001 again,” Mike said, pointing to familiar faces. “It’s even sweeter. For my son to do it, for us to bring that crown back to La Salle, it’s even sweeter.”
Mike also acknowledged the valiant effort of their opponents.
“Kudos to UP. They’re a champion team. They’ve been in the finals several years in a row. They played their hearts out,” said Mike, who works with UP assistant coach Ryan Alba at Blackwater.
“Hurts so much that somebody had to lose and somebody had to win. We’re gonna celebrate tonight then come back next year and try to do it again.”
Time has healed Mike’s wounds, offering not just vindication, but the joy of sharing victory with his son and the Lasallian community. December 17 is now forever etched in the Cortez family’s history — the day Jacob added a UAAP championship to his NCAA crown with San Beda.
“I didn’t think it could be done,” Mike admitted. “Playing for San Beda and winning the championship, having to sit out one year, then coming back and winning it in his first year here — it’s so sweet. It’s so sweet.
“Congratulations to him. I’m so happy for him. My family’s so happy for him. But I’m even happier for the Lasallian community. They put their hearts out every game. They came out here today and supported us. They supported the team. Animo La Salle!”
#WATCH: COOL CAT REDEMPTION 🏹
Proud dad Mike Cortez calls Jacob’s #UAAPSeason88 championship his redemption 🏀#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/MTN5MGoQIl
📹 @lorenzodelc /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/e4OFU0YRKc
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) December 17, 2025
