Jacob Cortez writes his own La Salle moment in Final Four of UAAP Season 88

For 38 minutes, De La Salle University and National University traded blows in a UAAP Season 88 Final Four duel that had everyone at the Big Dome on the edge of their seats. 

Then, with less than two minutes left, the Green Archers were suddenly staring at a 69–71 deficit — their season on the edge, their redemption bid flickering.

And then came Jacob Cortez.

The 5-foot-10 guard, calm in a way that felt familiar to anyone who’s seen his last name stitched across a La Salle jersey before, sized up his defender, rose for a step-back triple, and buried it.

NU tied the game with a split at the line, but Cortez wasn’t done. 

With the clock ticking under a minute, Cortez dribbled into space, rose from mid-range, and knocked down the shot that would tilt the knockout duel in their favor for good. 

Thanks to the late heroics of Cortez, the Green Archers completed a 78–73 victory and punched a ticket to their third straight UAAP Finals.

A moment built on urgency

Asked what he was thinking in those final minutes, Cortez, who finished with 29 big points, didn’t talk about tactics or adjustments — just desire.

“I just didn't want to go home. I didn't want all our sacrifices, all our hard work just to lose in the semis. That's all I thought about. And I just got comfortable, got confident in the shots I took,” he told reporters after the match.

Jacob Cortez pulls up for the triple in La Salle's Final Four victory over NU. | Photo: UAAP

It was the kind of takeover performance that invites comparisons to his father, La Salle legend Mike “Cool Cat” Cortez. 

Jacob smiled when the topic came up.

“I hope so. I want to do better than that, of course.”

[ALSO READ: Jacob Cortez fueled by dad Mike, family as he begins DLSU stint in UAAP Season 88]

A lasting legacy with DLSU

For Cortez, clutch shots are only part of the bigger picture. He’s chasing something that lasts.

“A championship, of course. That’s all I really want,” he said.

Cortez certainly knows what it takes. His time with San Beda gave him experience in do-or-die settings, something he now tries to quietly pass on to younger teammates.

“I guess the experience helps a lot because Kean [Baclaan] and Mason [Amos], they've never been in this situation before. But then again, Mike [Phillips] and Earl [Abadam] do a good job in bringing everyone together and humbling them. And I just really add on to that because I'm not really that vocal,” Cortez explained.

The Green Archers will now look to reclaim the UAAP crown against rivals the UP Fighting Maroons starting Wednesday, December 10, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.

Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.