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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Collegiate devider 'Be like Mike': Jacob Cortez looks to honor dad Mike with first UAAP crown

'Be like Mike': Jacob Cortez looks to honor dad Mike with first UAAP crown

Published Dec 8, 2025 01:48 pm
La Salle’s Jacob Cortez is now just two games away from becoming a UAAP champion like his father, Mike. (UAAP Media)
La Salle’s Jacob Cortez is now just two games away from becoming a UAAP champion like his father, Mike. (UAAP Media)
Two years ago, Jacob Cortez put on a Finals masterclass, leading San Beda over Mapua to capture the NCAA Season 99 crown
A year later, he found his way to a familiar and sentimental stop after transferring to De La Salle University, the very same campus where his father Mike etched his name with two titles more than 20 years ago.
And now his time to emulate his father’s legacy after steering the Green Archers back to the UAAP Finals appearance where they set up a title showdown against their modern rival in reigning champion University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons for the third consecutive season.
“Super big,” said Jacob when he asked how special it would be for him if he gets his first championship with the Taft-based squad.
“I was looking for him earlier, but I forgot he had a PBA game to go to. Dad, if you're watching this, love you. Shout out to you,” he added.
The 5-foot-11 cat-quick guard stood out in La Salle’s 78-73 semifinal win over National University at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last weekend, where he took over in the fourth and posted a career-high scoring of 29 points with four rebounds, four assists, and one steal.
According to Jacob, he once called his father Mike, who currently works as an assistant coach for the Blackwater Bossing in the PBA, after struggling in a couple of games.
“Coach Topex mentioned when people started talking about all this stuff on social media. I'm always on social media. It doesn't really affect me,” he continued.
“I called him and he got mad at me. He was like, now you want to talk to me? Like I said, sorry… and I want to win it for him,” he added.
Jacob has been a pivotal piece for the rebuilding La Salle, which stumbled early in the season due to multiple injuries and player suspensions.
"It means a lot to me. I've said in a lot of interviews that this is my dream to play for La Salle. I've been watching them since I was a kid. I actually watched them when they won the championship,” said Cortez.
La Salle and UP begin their best-of-three series this Wednesday, Dec. 10 at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
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