Jacob Cortez seeks to win his own championship ring when San Beda University battles Mapua University in Game 3 of their Season 99 National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament best-of-three finals series on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Cortez said he also wants to be known as a champion, similar to what his father — Mike — had become with De La Salle University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.
The elder Cortez is regarded as one of the greatest playmakers ever to play for the Green Archers, leading them to UAAP titles in 2000 and 2001 before getting drafted as the top overall pick in the Philippine Basketball Association in 2003, where he won three titles.
Mike was among the basketball players who were honored by La Salle with championship rings.
Cortez stressed that he wants to achieve what his father had done with his college squad.
“I didn’t just see him get a ring, so did his teammates like Ren-Ren (Ritualo) and Willie Wilson. I grew up with them because my dad had me at a young age,” Cortez said.
“During his PBA career, I would go to practices and his games. Now, I have a chance to get a championship on my own.”
With the way Cortez is playing, it will be a surprise if he leads the Red Lions to the title.
After being held to 12 points in their 63-68 loss in Game 1 last 6 December, Cortez picked himself up and flirted with a double-double performance of 21 points and nine rebounds in Game 2 for a 71-65 win to force a winner-take-all match.
Cortez said he is pinning his hopes on his teammates, knowing that beating a very disciplined team like Mapua takes more than just an individual performance.
“Even though they don’t have the experience, even me, we don’t lack confidence. We know that every one of us will pull through for one another,” Cortez said.
