Romwel Anzures

De La Salle University star Jacob Cortez against National University in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball Final 4. Photo from UAAP Media.

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ABS-CBN News

<div style="line-height:1.5"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1765084602006UAAP 88 MBB F4 DLSU vs. NU- Jacob Cortez-9339.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>De La Salle University star Jacob Cortez against National University in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball Final 4. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — Jacob Cortez is back in the promised land like he never left.</div>The 5-foot-10 De La Salle University star delivered a career-best 29 points as the Green Archers completed their upset of top-seeded National University, 78-73, in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball Final 4 on Saturday.<div style="line-height:1.5"><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/12/6/uaap-cortez-takes-over-as-la-salle-ousts-national-u-sets-up-trilogy-against-up-1801">READ: Cortez takes over as La Salle ousts National U, sets up trilogy against UP</a></div>The son of Taft legend Mike Cortez hit the go-ahead three-pointer in crunch time to seal the win, and also to mark his return to the Finals two years after San Beda University’s NCAA Season 99 championship run.That title campaign also featured Cortez rescuing the Red Lions in the NCAA Final 4 against Lyceum of the Philippines University, a team that coincidentally also held a twice-to-beat edge.“You could say I’ve been here before. Same thing, we’ve had a lot of doubters and people count us out,” said Cortez, who drilled 28 points back on November 28, 2023, at the Mall of Asia Arena to force a rubber match through an 89–68 victory.<div style="line-height:1.5">However, while San Beda went on to eliminate Lyceum just like how La Salle booted out National U, Cortez struggled in the decider, finishing with only seven points in their 82–72 clincher three days later. <img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1765085046625IMG_2175.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Jacob Cortez with his former team San Beda University during the NCAA Season 99 mens basketball Finals. Photo by Rom Anzures, ABS-CBN News."/>Jacob Cortez with his former team San Beda University during the NCAA Season 99 mens basketball Finals. Photo by Rom Anzures, ABS-CBN News.<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/12/20/23/how-dad-mikes-la-salle-titles-inspired-san-bedas-jacob-cortez">READ: How dad Mike&#x27;s La Salle titles inspired San Beda&#x27;s Jacob Cortez</a></div>That experience mirrors a few slumps he endured this season — performances that placed the spitfire guard under scrutiny especially following La Salle’s rocky elimination round.“Everybody was cutting the head of Jacob,” said Archers coach Topex Robinson.In an 83–84 loss to Far Eastern University on November 16, Cortez only had 10 points on 2-of-14 shooting in over 33 minutes. Three days later, he followed that up with a five-point outing on 2-of-7 shooting as La Salle was stunned by Adamson University, 60–61.When Jacob was looking for answers during this stretch, it was his family whom he turned to.“When people started talking about me, especially on social media, I called him,” said the younger Cortez, referring to his father.“He was mad. He said: ‘Now you wanna talk to me?’ But no, I want to win it for him, and that talk helped me with my confidence,” he added.It was not only Mike who kept Jacob pushing, as Robinson and his second family in La Salle also made sure to back him up.“We knew that we’re gonna lose games, but those are so important to him and to us, having to go through those battles,” said Robinson, as La Salle was also dealing with MCL injuries to Mason Amos and Kean Baclaan during that stretch.“We just made sure that he’s not going to be alone. I also told him that now, it’s more that we’re gonna put you in that spot. Trust is not given, it is earned. So sabi ko: ‘Subukan mo ako ngayon.’ And he delivered,” Robinson continued.Now, after overcoming the growing pains, Jacob says it’s time to return the faith placed in him while pursuing the dream that motivated his transfer to La Salle.“This is my dream, to play for La Salle and bring them a championship like my dad. Now, I’m in that position,” he said. “But I’m not gonna win alone.”“The experience helps a lot,” he answered, when asked about how his run with San Beda helps. “Sila Kean and Mason, they have yet to experience this before. But then again, La Salle is also a champion, with Mike [Phillips] and the rest, so I’m just gonna add on to that.”“It’s really still going to be a collective effort to win the championship. This is one of the biggest stages in basketball. And now, it will be against the best of the best, so I’m just very excited,” he added. RELATED VIDEOS: <script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAFz8gWM8iRADsJr&amp;cid=ABtGr1C-5QJhKh7P"></script><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAFz8gWM8iRADsJr&amp;cid=ABtGuZL_lIaIKey2"></script>

#UAAPSeason88 || Jacob Cortez is back in the promised land like he never left. #UAAPFinals

#UAAPSeason88 || Jacob Cortez is back in the promised land like he never left. #UAAPFinals

UAAP: From San Beda to La Salle, Jacob Cortez always rises to the occasion

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UAAP: From San Beda to La Salle, Jacob Cortez always rises to the occasion

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 07, 2025 03:13 PM PHT

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Basketball

UAAP

ABSSports

UAAP Season 88

UAAP Basketball

UAAP Finals

De La Salle Green Archers

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San Beda Red Lions

NCAA Finals

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