The Red Lion could soon become a Green Archer.
Jacob Cortez, who played a pivotal role in San Beda University’s Season 99 National Collegiate Athletic Association conquest, announced on social media on Thursday that he will be bringing his game to the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.
The 21-year-old guard is said to be donning the De La Salle University jersey but won’t be suiting up right away owing to residency rules and is expected to play in Season 88 instead.
Cortez said the transfer is aimed at finding new challenges and improving his brand of play.
“With great difficulty, I have decided that my time as a Red Lion is closing, and would like to officially announce that I will not be playing for San Beda University in their upcoming season,” said Cortez, who also played for the Red Lions squad that reached the Final Four in Seasons 97 and 98.
“Challenging, improving, and growing is always my goal, and so I have decided that to achieve this, I need to get out of my comfort zone. With that, I plan to compete in the UAAP.”
In his final game for San Beda, Cortez scored eight points and eight assists in Game 3 of the NCAA Season 99 finals en route to a 76-66 win over Mapua University to bag its 23rd cage crown.
“I have had the best time at San Beda. From playing as a rookie fresh out of high school in an isolating yet invigorating bubble season to helping bring back the crown where it belongs after many have counted San Beda out,” Cortez said.
“Still, the most unforgettable part of the past couple of years has been all of you. Along the journey, I’ve truly met people who I can call Family now,” said Cortez, who still has two playing years left.
While the son of former Philippine Basketball Association star Mike Cortez hasn’t said which school he will play for, rumors are circling on social media that he is setting his sights on De La Salle University, the same school that former Red Lion Evan Nelle transferred to in 2020.
The stars are aligned for Cortez to suit up for the Green Archers as his father Mike also played for the Taft-based squad and won two UAAP titles in 2000 and 2001.
Cortez’s entry should ramp up the guard position following the exit of Nelle and Mark Nonoy as they have already exhausted their playing years with the Taft-based team.
Kean Baclaan of National University, another top player, is also being reported to join the Archers.
As this developed, UAAP Season 86 Most Valuable Player Kevin Quiambao welcomed the idea of having Cortez in the team but that will depend on head coach Topex Robinson’s decisions.
“I’m just going to follow what they give us and what coach Topex wants,” Quiambao said.
“It would be great if I’m with them but that depends on coach Topex and the management.”
Robinson, who won his first UAAP title as head coach, had a cryptic post with a red and green heart emoji, matching the school colors of San Beda and La Salle, respectively.
As for the Lions, head coach Yuri Escueta said the team adapts a “next man up” mentality as they gear up for their title defense in Season 100 in reference to the team’s philosophy.
“It’s ‘next man up’ for us. We wish Jacob all the luck and the best,” Escueta told DAILY TRIBUNE in a text message.
