Mike Cortez made sure to accompany his son, Jacob, during his La Salle campus tour on Friday morning.
As they went around the campus, the former King Archer told his son stories of life inside the school.
“We used to run up and down here,” recalled Mike, pointing at the stairs of the Enrique M. Razon Sports Center where they “warmed up” by going up nine floors.
“We don’t do that anymore,” quipped team official Awoo Lacson.
Looking back on his time with La Salle, Mike could not help but smile as his son, Jacob, finally gets to experience it.
“I’m happy because he is happy. It’s been his childhood dream to play for La Salle. He went to (La Salle) Green Hills and played for their program for quite a few years,” the elder Cortez shared.
“It’s just nice to see everything he has worked for finally paying off.”
Safe to say, it’s been a long journey for Jacob to get to Taft Avenue.
Back in 2019, Jacob moved from LSGH to UST High to get the attention of UAAP schools.
However, the pandemic hit.
UST’s men’s basketball program went into disarray after figuring in controversy, while then-Green Archers head coach Derrick Pumaren picked Penny Estacio over Jacob.
Those setbacks did not stop Jacob.
The 5-foot-10 guard worked his way up, committing to San Beda University.
From being a reserve player in NCAA Season 97, he developed into being the Red Lions’ go-to guy two years later.
Along the way, he had to deny La Salle’s offer last year to fulfill his promise to San Beda in Season 99.
“This opportunity came up once before, and it’s rare for an opportunity to come twice.
“It all worked out for him. He won a championship at San Beda, and they had a great championship run. It just so happened that this opportunity came up again, and he didn’t want to let the opportunity go again,” expressed Mike.
Being a Green Archer, though, brings more pressure.
Jacob will now play in front of larger crowds, bigger venues, and tougher competition.
In the UAAP, there are no days off.
Mike knows about this, winning two UAAP titles during his run with La Salle but having suffered heartbreak to close out his collegiate career in 2002.
As a father, Mike just wants his son to continue being the “Cool Cub.”
“Just play your game. At the end of the day, it’s basketball. Pressure only happens if you let it get to you. He’s been in basketball his whole life, and at the end of the day, it’s still basketball.”
