Proven hero: Jacob Cortez takes San Beda clutch act to La Salle title hunt

MANILA, Philippines – When his team needed him the most, Jacob Cortez proved he is the next big superstar the La Salle Green Archers have been looking for.

Not long after the exit of two-time MVP Kevin Quiambao, the son of “Cool Cat” Mike Cortez proved the winning gene is alive and well with an efficient 29-point eruption in La Salle’s 78-73 ousting stunner of NU in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball Final Four.

More than two decades since his father helped win La Salle a title, Jacob is now busy penning his own legend as the Archers became the first fourth seed in 11 years to boot out a No. 1 team — the last team ironically being NU in its Cinderella 2014 title run.

“I just want to give credit to my teammates and my coaches, we all worked so hard for this moment,” Cortez said after leading the Bulldogs’ ouster on Saturday, December 6.

“I know you guys all see my shots, but Mike [Phillips] and JC [Macalalag] and Earl [Abadam] all did a good job of defending their opponents [as well].”

While Cortez may deflect attention away from him, make no mistake, the “Cool Cub” did not get his moniker out of pure heritage, nor was his playoff eruption a one-off performance.

Before his highly anticipated transfer to his father’s alma mater, the younger Cortez was already clutch killer for the NCAA’s San Beda Red Lions.

Quite similar to his Final Four journey with La Salle, Cortez and San Beda also faced a twice-to-beat disadvantage against the Lyceum Pirates in NCAA Season 99 in 2023.

Back against the wall, the “Cool Cub” lashed out with 28 points on the way to an 89-68 statement round of second-seeded Lyceum, setting the stage for a series sweep and a finals date with Mapua.

Against the Cardinals and a newly minted MVP Clint Escamis, San Beda again faced elimination after a 68-63 Finals Game 1 loss.

As if pounding pressure is a prerequisite, Cortez again took over as needed, bombing away 21 points as the Lions got the momentum they needed with a 71-65 series equalizer.

San Beda — once a dynasty that won eight titles in nine years from 2010 to 2018 — would go on to win its 23rd NCAA championship in 2023 to break a five-year drought.

Now back in the finals this time against the mighty UP Fighting Maroons, Cortez once again sees the odds stacked against him, with La Salle entering the best-of-three series a clear underdog unlike the past two years.

But perhaps that’s just how the “Cool Cub” likes it.

A cat is most dangerous when it’s cornered, after all. – Rappler.com