By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Will Jacob Cortez leave the NCAA and jump to the UAAP men’s basketball?
After helping the San Beda Red Lions snap its four-year NCAA men’s hoops title drought when they beat the Mapua Cardinals during the do-or-die Game 3 of the Season 99 finals, the superstar point guard was quick to confirm that he is already receiving offers from multiple UAAP schools.
Cortez revealed that the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers are one of them including other undisclosed universities.
The son of former DLSU point guard Mike Cortez already attended the first few years of his secondary education in La Salle Green Hills and a reunion with his former school could be a possibility.
Also, Evan Nelle, the senior floor general of the Green Archers who also came from the San Beda basketball program, already played his maximum eligible years as an UAAP athlete, thus, Cortez’s addition will make head coach Topex Robinson’s duty easier.
However, Cortez still didn’t confirm if he would be transferring to his dad’s alma mater and only said that he will enjoy his championship run first before focusing on those matters.
Cortez helped the Red Lions reach the NCAA championship series after averaging 15.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.2 steals during the regular season.
San Beda had one of the most impressive title runs in the history of the NCAA after they erased Lyceum’s twice-to-beat advantage during the semifinals.
In the finals, the Cardinal drew first blood and were a win away from an NCAA title but the boys from Mendiola completed the reverse sweep after bagging games 2 and 3.
Despite not clinching the NCAA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, Cortez was still vital to San Beda’s campaign after acting as the squad’s glue, scoring points when his team needed him the most while also setting up his teammates for easy baskets.
