ONLY one day after announcing his departure from San Beda University, Jacob Cortez expressed his commitment to the De La Salle University Green Archers and will play for them once eligible.
After leading the San Beda Red Lions to the Promised Land in NCAA Season 99, the youthful Cortez has chosen to join Taft in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), according to an announcement he made on Friday, January 12.
The month-long rumors began shortly after Cortez and the Red Lions’ NCAA championship season concluded. The combo guard was immediately questioned about his future with the Red Lions, and he candidly expressed his uncertainties.
The 21-year-old playmaker then returned to his champion father Mike Cortez’s home, where he won back-to-back UAAP titles in 2000 and 2001.
However, in an interview with Naveen Ganglani, Cortez revealed the motive for his transfer, which is not to follow in his father’s footsteps, but to carve his own destiny in the lengthy history of the Taft-based team.
Photo Courtesy: Naveen Ganglani | Facebook
“I didn’t think about (transferring to La Salle) just because he’s my dad, you know. But this was my own decision. It is my decision to come to La Salle and represent them, so I’m gonna stand by that,” said the 5-foot-10 guard.
The 21-year-old played an important role in the Red Lions’ NCAA Season 99 title run, which ended a five-year championship drought.
He sparked interest from other universities after averaging 15.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists for the Mendiola team.
Given La Salle’s history and the Green Archers’ recent UAAP title, the young Cortez can’t help but view a season with the university as a championship or nothing.
Photo Courtesy: Naveen Ganglani | Facebook
However, he does not want to put too much pressure on himself, “It’s all mental for me. Just to focus on the now and not to let pressure get into my head,” says the now-former San Beda Red Lion.
“Well I’ve been doing that my whole life. Hopefully that translates to another championship,” he added, excited to represent DLSU.
When asked what legacy he hopes to leave for himself, Cortez stated that he simply wants to make a positive impact on the entire basketball culture in the country, not just the UAAP community.
“First of all I wanna win a championship, of course. And that, I just want to be a good influence to all those (players) who wants to be in my spot right now, that anything is possible.”
“At the end of the day, my goal is to be a good role model to all basketball players,” he said, concluding the conversation.
He is slated to begin his UAAP career in Season 88, after finishing his one-year residency. After fulfilling his promise in Mendiola, it is now time for Cortez to leave his own mark in the green and white community.
