After a successful title run with De La Salle University in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament, Jacob Cortez found himself at a crossroads.
Interest from a KBL team eventually came Cortez’s way, leaving him uncertain whether to take his talents overseas and turn professional or use his final year of eligibility with the Green Archers.
However, with no opportunity compelling enough for him to leave La Salle, along with his burning desire to steer the Green Archers to another UAAP championship and play alongside his younger brother Mikey once he recovers from injury, Cortez ultimately decided to stay in Taft.
“No opportunities yet so far. I just want to hopefully play with Mikey, who is recovering from an injury. But then again, no opportunities, no offers yet, or whatever that made me want to leave La Salle,” Cortez told reporters on Sunday evening.
“And I personally do not want to leave La Salle.”
His decision to remain with La Salle comes as a massive relief for the Green Archers, who continue to navigate an offseason marked by significant departures from their Season 88 championship squad.
La Salle is set to begin its title defense without Season 88 Finals MVP and two-time champion Mike Phillips, who has exhausted his playing eligibility, and crafty guard Kean Baclaan, who opted to turn professional with Caloocan in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.
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With both Phillips and Baclaan gone, Cortez admitted that a major leadership void needs to be filled.
And after suffering a loss to National University in their opening game of the 19th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, Cortez chose to view the setback as a learning experience for the Green Archers as they adjust to their new reality.
“Yung positive is natalo kami. We needed this loss for the guys to know how to step up. We were talking about how we do not have Mike anymore, and we really need someone to step up. Good thing that we lost, we have a lot to learn from this, especially our new guys,” said the son of La Salle legend Mike Cortez, who finished with 13 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds in the loss.
With more than four months remaining before La Salle begins its Season 89 title defense, the 5-foot-11 guard vowed to ramp up his efforts during the Green Archers’ preseason preparations as he works toward becoming a more vocal leader.
That commitment will be crucial in unlocking La Salle’s stacked core, led by Mason Amos, Luis Pablo, Earl Abadam, Jcee Macalalag, Seven Gagate, among others.
“It’s not there yet. I know I am not that vocal, but I am willing to do whatever it takes to lead this team to another championship,” Cortez shared.
“Probably less reliance because lahat ng teams ay gonna scheme against me. We talked about it earlier in the dugout that they think I am the best or most talented player on the court, but I still have to move the ball, so just stuff like that. No relying on me, but more on ball movement for us.”
