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From the NCAA to the UAAP, Jacob Cortez continues to carry unbridled confidence below searing-hot spotlights, this time for La Salle in its unlikely finals return after a surprising NU takedown
MANILA, Philippines – When his workforce wanted him probably the most, Jacob Cortez proved he’s the following large famous person the La Salle Inexperienced Archers have been searching for.
Not lengthy after the exit of two-time MVP Kevin Quiambao, the son of “Cool Cat” Mike Cortez proved the profitable gene is alive and properly with an environment friendly 29-point eruption in La Salle’s 78-73 ousting stunner of NU in Recreation 2 of the UAAP Season 88 males’s basketball Closing 4.
Greater than twenty years since his father helped win La Salle a title, Jacob is now busy penning his personal legend because the Archers turned the primary fourth seed in 11 years in addition out a No. 1 workforce — the final workforce sarcastically being NU in its Cinderella 2014 title run.
“I simply need to give credit score to my teammates and my coaches, all of us labored so onerous for this second,” Cortez mentioned after main the Bulldogs’ ouster on Saturday, December 6.
“I do know you guys all see my photographs, however Mike [Phillips] and JC [Macalalag] and Earl [Abadam] all did a superb job of defending their opponents [as well].”
Whereas Cortez might deflect consideration away from him, make no mistake, the “Cool Cub” didn’t get his moniker out of pure heritage, nor was his playoff eruption a one-off efficiency.
Earlier than his extremely anticipated switch to his father’s alma mater, the youthful Cortez was already clutch killer for the NCAA’s San Beda Crimson Lions.
Fairly much like his Closing 4 journey with La Salle, Cortez and San Beda additionally confronted a twice-to-beat drawback in opposition to the Lyceum Pirates in NCAA Season 99 in 2023.
Again in opposition to the wall, the “Cool Cub” lashed out with 28 factors on the best way to an 89-68 assertion spherical of second-seeded Lyceum, setting the stage for a sequence sweep and a finals date with Mapua.
Towards the Cardinals and a newly minted MVP Clint Escamis, San Beda once more confronted elimination after a 68-63 Finals Recreation 1 loss.
As if pounding stress is a prerequisite, Cortez once more took over as wanted, bombing away 21 factors because the Lions obtained the momentum they wanted with a 71-65 sequence equalizer.
San Beda — as soon as a dynasty that gained eight titles in 9 years from 2010 to 2018 — would go on to win its twenty third NCAA championship in 2023 to interrupt a five-year drought.
Now again within the finals this time in opposition to the mighty UP Combating Maroons, Cortez as soon as once more sees the chances stacked in opposition to him, with La Salle coming into the best-of-three sequence a transparent underdog in contrast to the previous two years.
However maybe that’s simply how the “Cool Cub” likes it.
A cat is most harmful when it’s cornered, in spite of everything. – Rappler.com
