Jacob Cortez etched his name in history by winning championships in both the NCAA and UAAP, leading La Salle to the Season 88 crown two years after lifting a title with San Beda.
Two titles. Two leagues. Two champion schools—exactly two years apart.
That’s the rare milestone Jacob Cortez etched into his growing resume after helping De La Salle University close out the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball Finals with an 80–72 Game 3 victory over the University of the Philippines at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.
The Big Dome was the very same stage where he lifted the NCAA Season 99 title with San Beda University two years earlier.
And once again, Cortez was at the center of it all, steadying La Salle down the stretch to reclaim the crown.
“I love it, man. Right now, I’m speechless,” Cortez told reporters. “My guys put up a good fight. UP had it all, big shot after big shot, but that didn’t faze us, and that shows our maturity.”
For Cortez, the championship was as much about growth as it was about grit. With the victory, the Season 88 Green Archers also became just the second no. 4 seed to win the UAAP championship in the Final Four era.
“The old La Salle would have just given up,” he added. “But these guys went on to win a championship, and that’s just what happened.”
[ALSO READ: Jacob Cortez fueled by dad Mike, family as he begins DLSU stint in UAAP Season 88]
Harder road, deeper meaning
If his San Beda title was about arrival, this one with La Salle was about endurance.
“It’s still surreal and quite unbelievable,” Cortez admitted. “I was even a little bit emotional because this was more difficult than the previous one that I had.”
Jacob Cortez takes it all in as La Salle reclaims the UAAP men's basketball crown. | Photo: UAAP
The crafty guard pointed to the hurdles that tested the Green Archers all season—injuries, suspensions, ejections, and the challenge of blending into a new environment.
“New team for me, kind of new players, but then again, we trusted each other no matter what,” Cortez said. “And I think that’s the really big part of winning.”
At the core of it all was Cortez’s simplest motivation.
“I just don’t like losing,” he said with a laugh.
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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.