De La Salle University lived and died with Jacob Cortez in UAAP Season 88, and that formula ultimately resulted in a championship.
The Green Archers are not looking to change that formula just yet, even though the graduating guard endured a difficult start to the Season 89 collegiate men’s basketball tournament.
That was the sentiment of head coach Topex Robinson after Cortez led La Salle to an 83-76 victory over its fabled rival, Ateneo de Manila University, on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“I don’t know if you remember a few weeks ago, pinatalo kami nito eh (Cortez) when we played UST. But you have to remember also, several months ago he won the championship for us,” said Robinson.
“He will always take those shots; that’s what he’s built for. We will always win with Jacob. We will lose with Jacob. And that scenario will never change.”
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
The 5-foot-11 floor general delivered 12 points, five assists, three rebounds, and a steal in the win. While he shot just 4-for-13 from the field, Cortez still finished with a game-high plus-16 rating in the 31 minutes and 13 seconds he spent on the floor.
That was a stark contrast to his performance against the Growling Tigers, which Robinson recalled. Cortez made just three of 13 shots and went 1-for-6 in the fourth quarter of La Salle’s 80-75 loss last September 16.
But that performance barely diminished Robinson’s trust in his senior, knowing full well that Cortez’s decisions have more often than not worked in favor of the team.
“He always does the right thing; he always disobeys our sets, but he delivers. What’s important, I guess, is that his teammates around him know that he’s gonna take those shots,” said the champion coach.
“I think that’s where the magic happens. You just trust your players and good things are bound to happen.”
