November 26, 2025

UAAP: Jacob Cortez wills La Salle past Ateneo to catch last Final Four bus

UAAP: Jacob Cortez wills La Salle past Ateneo to catch last Final Four bus
La Salle ace Jacob Cortez amps up his offense in the fourth quarter. | Photo: The UAAP

La Salle leaned on the late-game heroics of Jacob Cortez as he rallied his team past archrival Ateneo, 78-72, to clinch the last Final Four spot in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao Wednesday, Nov. 26.

La Salle, finishing the elimination round at 8-6, set up a semis clash against No. 1 and twice-to-beat-armed National U.

[ALSO READ: Chambers proud of FEU's growth as team exceeds expectations in UAAP]

Cortez scored all of the Green Archers' points in a pivotal 9-2 run in the fourth quarter to ease them back into the match after trailing by as much as 11 points with 2:02 ticks left in the third.

He also provided the dagger jumper with 12.4 remaining in the match to push La Salle ahead by four points.

Luisa Morales is a sportswriter with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.

Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.


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