Jacob Cortez and Kyla Go wrapped up the final week of the UAAP Season 88 elimination in style, earning Player of the Week honors in men’s and women’s basketball after standout performances.
Jacob Cortez and Kyla Go reserved their brightest performances for UAAP Season 88's final act.
Both La Salle standouts were named the UAAP Collegiate Press Corps’ Players of the Week for the period of November 19 to 26 following standout performances in the elimination round’s final week.
Cortez emerged as a key figure for the Green Archers, helping them win two of their last three games to secure a Final Four spot.
His biggest moment came in a 78–72 victory over rival Ateneo on Wednesday, November 26, when he scored 20 points and handed out seven assists.
With La Salle up by two in the final seconds, Cortez intercepted a pass from Jared Bahay, shook off defender Waki Espina, and drilled the dagger jumper that extended the lead to 76–72 with 12.4 seconds remaining en route to a thrilling win.
[ALSO READ: Jacob Cortez on dagger vs Ateneo: 'I've been doing that since I was a kid']
The performance followed a 14-point, four-rebound effort in La Salle’s 87–82 win over defending champion UP.
Meanwhile, Go went on a scoring tear in her final two games after returning from a one-game suspension.
She poured in 34 points alongside five rebounds, and four steals in a narrow 75–73 win against UP on November 22.
Go then closed the season with a near triple-double of 32 markers, 11 boards, and eight dimes in a 73–72 stunner over the playoff-bound Ateneo Blue Eagles.
Unlike Cortez and the Green Archers, however, the Lady Archers missed the Final Four, finishing the season 6-8 to share fifth place with the FEU Lady Tamaraws.
Still, Go’s scoring exploits marked a positive ending for La Salle’s women’s team.
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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.