De La Salle University legend Mike Cortez doesn’t want his son Jacob to merely follow in his footsteps in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.
He would like to see the younger Cortez step out of his shadows and make a name for himself as a Green Archer.
“That’s one thing we talked about before he made that decision. We laid everything on the line, we talked about the pressure of following my footsteps,” Cortez said of his son in an interview on CNN Philippines Sportsdesk.
“But eventually, he made the decision to go to La Salle. He really wants to take on that challenge,” he added.
Jacob ended a month-long speculation of his next move after leading San Beda University to the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 99 throne when he announced on Friday his decision to transfer to La Salle.
The 21-year-old guard will make his debut as a second-generation player to don the Green Archers jersey following his father’s colorful and successful run in the early 2000s next year after serving a one-year residency.
“It’s been a dream of mine to play in the UAAP and what better than to represent De La Salle Green Archers,” Jacob said.
The elder Cortez believes that Jacob will be able to make his mark in the UAAP and not just be known as the son of the fabled “Cool Cat” of La Salle.
“Slowly he already made a name for himself. When he started in the NCAA he’s always been called my son, Mike Cortez’s son, and things like that. But slowly he made a name for himself leading up to this point,” said Mike, who gave the Green Archers back-to-back UAAP titles in 2000 and 2001.
Jacob, who averaged 15.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.4 blocks in his farewell NCAA season, is expected to reinforce the reigning UAAP champions back court after the departure of Evan Nelle and Mark Nonoy.
Mike is confident Jacob, who played for La Salle Greenhills in high school, will fit right into the system of head coach Topex Robinson.
He, however, has to double his effort on defense — La Salle’s vaunted weapon — according to Mike.
