Jacob Cortez was having himself a game against National University last Wednesday in the Playtime Cares Filoil EcoOil 18th Preseason Cup.
The transferee from San Beda University tallied 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting, along with three rebounds and three assists in just 18 minutes of action.
However, midway through the third quarter, Jacob fouled out of the game. And replacing him was none other than his younger brother, Mikey.
And as Jacob watched from the sidelines, he couldn’t help but feel proud.
“I’m super proud of how he played and what he showed to not just me but to the other players as well,” said Jacob, who is three years older than Mikey, in an interview with Tiebreaker Times. “He did really good and he didn’t really know that he was going to play in the last minutes. He delivered.
“I’m super proud of him for that.”
(C) Mags Reyes
In a game that came down to the wire, it was Mikey who delivered the crucial baskets.
Leading 57-44 with under nine minutes remaining, the Green Archers suddenly found themselves on the ropes as NU’s Nat Tulabut, Reinhard Jumamoy, and Steve Nash Enriquez combined for a 15-4 blitz, trimming the deficit to just two, 59-61, with 1:47 left in the game.
But Mikey answered the call.
A smooth Eurostep layup followed by a clutch three-pointer restored order and pushed La Salle ahead, 66-61.
For Jacob, sharing the court with his younger brother in a La Salle jersey is a dream fulfilled.
“Growing up, it was a dream for me to play with him on the UAAP stage, and especially at La Salle,” he said.
“It’s very exciting for us to show what we can do on the court in this coming UAAP.”
Life in the Cortez household, as Jacob recalled, was always competitive — especially between the brothers.
“Our relationship growing up was really competitive. We used to play against each other in the parks, like yung mga dayo-dayo lang, we would always be magkalaban. We were really competitive,” he shared.
Then, with a playful grin, he added: “Of course, I think I’m better. Not much of a debate on that.”
Still, despite their rivalry, Jacob embraces his role as the ‘kuya’—the older brother who looks out for Mikey.
And with the UAAP season fast approaching, he only has one piece of advice for his younger sibling.
“My advice siguro is to just have fun. I know his game and how he plays. Once he overthinks, it messes him up a lot. That’s why he should just play his game,” Jacob said.
