Jacob Cortez transfers to La Salle, follows footsteps of dad Mike
At A Glance
- Former San Beda star Jacob Cortez is set to begin a new chapter to his basketball career after formally making his transfer to the Green Archers in the UAAP.
After 21 years, another Cortez is set to don the La Salle's famed green and white jersey.

Former San Beda star Jacob Cortez is set to begin a new chapter to his basketball career after formally making his transfer to the Green Archers in the UAAP.
Cortez, 21, confirmed the move on Friday, Jan. 12, just a day after also bidding his goodbye to San Beda which became his home in the NCAA for two seasons ˗ a partnership that produced a championship in Season 99.
With the move, the younger Cortez is set to follow the footsteps of his father, Mike, who carved out a legendary career in the UAAP as part of two La Salle championship teams in 2000 and 2001.
"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.” Cortez wrote on a social media post.
It's also a homecoming of sorts for Cortez who isn't entirely new to the La Salle community, having played with the juniors team in the La Salle Greenhills before making his move to the University of Sto. Tomas and eventually finding his way to San Beda.
After a quiet first season with the Red Lions, Cortez blossomed into a potent combo guard in his second year, all while embracing his role as San Beda's main man.
The 5-foot-11 guard averaged 15.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 23 games, leading San Beda to a 12-6 card at the end of the eliminations.
He was a vital cog to the Red Lions playoff campaign that saw them overcome a twice-to-win disadvantage against the Lyceum Pirates in the semifinals before pulling off 2-1 comeback in the Finals to beat the top seed Mapua Cardinals.
Cortez will skip UAAP Season 87 as he needed to spend a residency year and expected to wear the green-and-white uniform in Season 88.