After Kean Baclaan went down with an injury, Jacob Cortez simply took charge and helped DLSU complete a 21-point comeback over UE in an overtime thriller in UAAP Season 88.
Down by as much as 21 points, missing a key player, and trailing by six to start overtime, the odds were stacked against DLSU in a hard-fought battle with UE.
Fortunately for the Green Archers, they had one calm, cool, and collected player in Jacob Cortez.
Cortez finished what teammate Kean Baclaan — who left the game with an apparent knee injury — started in the second half and propelled DLSU to a thrilling 111-110 overtime escape against the Red Warriros to end a two-game slump in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: La Salle survives Precious Momowei’s 42, completes comeback in OT vs UE]
With DLSU trailing 56-75 in the third quarter, Baclaan went on a scoring spree, hitting 10 straight points to bring La Salle back into the game, narrowing the gap to 66-75.
But with the Archers closing in at 84-89 in the fourth, disaster struck as Baclaan collided with Welo Lingolingo during a loose-ball scramble, and the latter accidentally landed on former's left leg.
He was stretchered off the court, and Lingolingo was ejected for an unsportsmanlike foul.
With Baclaan sidelined, Cortez took over.
He scored 10 consecutive points, giving La Salle a 98-93 lead with 1:18 left in regulation and even after Precious Momowei sent the game to overtime and UE scored the first six points, the Green Archers refused to back down.
Earl Abadom ignited a late rally and Cortez followed with four straight points to put La Salle up 110-107 and seal the win.
The 22-year-old finished with 26 points, five assists, and four steals in 35 minutes.
"When I saw Kean getting stretchered off, it motivated us to step up," Cortez said. "Not only did I step up, but everyone did. We all started wrong, but it's all about how you end."
Cool takeover
With Baclaan out, Cortez embraced the responsibility.
"Super eager," he said when asked if he felt the urge to take over. "Luckily, I was mature enough to relax and stay composed. I can’t do that if I can’t trust my teammates. Whoever’s on the court with me, we just trust one another."
Jacon Cortez in action for DLSU against UE in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament. | Photo: The UAAP
Team captain Mike Phillips and Abadom added 18 points apiece. Baclaan, the second Green Archer to be sidelined with an injury after Mason Amos, finished with 17 points before going out.
The victory not only snapped DLSU’s slump but also gave the team a confidence boost heading into their highly anticipated finals rematch with defending champion UP on Sunday, Oct. 19.
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.