When Jacob Cortez steps onto the court in the finals of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament next week, it will mark another pivotal chapter in his personal journey as a De La Salle Green Archer.
A champion with San Beda University in NCAA Season 99, Cortez has seamlessly embraced the mantle of ‘King Archer,’ echoing the legacy of his father, Mike Cortez, from the early 2000s.
He earned that title with clutch plays — most notably his jumper against Ateneo de Manila University last November 26, which secured La Salle the final ticket to the Final Four.
That moment grew even more poetic last Saturday.
Exactly 22 years after his father delivered a similar blow in the UAAP Season 64 Final Four — when Mike Cortez led La Salle to a 111-85 win that eliminated National University, then bannered by a young Jeff Napa — Jacob repeated history.
Fast forward to the do-or-die Final Four clash against National University on Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum: the 5-foot-11 guard poured in 29 points, including 10 in the critical stretch, leading La Salle in overturning a twice-to-beat disadvantage for the first time since Season 60.
Now that the Green Archers have punched their ticket to the finals, Cortez reflected on the significance of wearing the green-and-white jersey — a dream he has nurtured since childhood.
“It means a lot to me,” he said.
“I’ve said in a lot of interviews that this is my dream to play for La Salle. I’ve been watching them since I was a kid. I actually watched them when they won the championship.
“Now I’m in that spot in the finals with them. I’m with Mike (Philipps), Coach T, and as I said earlier, I’m not gonna win alone. I have 100% trust in these guys that they’ll do whatever it takes to win. Really, all you need is trust,” the 23-year-old guard from Parañaque added.
Expectations were high for the second-generation Green Archer, and he has more than delivered.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
With La Salle down 69-71 and less than two minutes left, Cortez nailed a three-pointer, followed by a jumpshot and a free throw that put the Archers ahead 75-72, sealing the victory with 8.2 seconds remaining.
True to his team-first mentality, Cortez immediately credited his fellow Green Archers for the win.
“I want to give credit to my teammates and my coaches,” he said. “We all worked so hard for this moment, and I know all you guys see are my shots, but Mike (Phillips), Jcee (Macalalag) and Earl (Abadam) did a good job defending their opponents.
“Even though (Jake) Figueroa had 21 (points), it was a tough 21 (points) for him. I think that’s what helped us win the game. I think that’s what helped me get into my groove. We’re gonna celebrate today, but it’s gonna get tougher when we play the finals next week.”
La Salle’s season has been a roller coaster of challenges — from suspensions and key injuries to doubts about even reaching the Final Four.
Yet, the Green Archers defied the odds, overcoming the Bulldogs’ playoff advantage to secure a spot in the finals.
On a personal level, Cortez has leaned on the lessons from San Beda’s NCAA Season 99 title run.
That championship journey saw the Red Lions overcome doubters, defeating Lyceum in the Final Four and then top-ranked Mapua Cardinals in the finals after dropping Game 1.
He has also relied on La Salle’s senior core, who have navigated the highs and lows of a championship chase.
“You can say I’ve been in this position before: coming in with twice-to-win,” Cortez said. “Same thing, we had a lot of doubters. People counted us out, but Mike and Earl keep a good job of keeping the team together, motivating them, and it’s just me who really adds on to that.
“We can’t forget that they’re champions also. It’s really gonna be a collective effort for us to win the championship, and so far, so good.”
