By NIKOLE JAVIER
Fitting into a new system is not entirely a problem for new La Salle recruit Jacob Cortez – thanks to all the valuable lessons he learned while still with former team San Beda in the NCAA.
Cortez has nothing in mind but to end his collegiate career in a blaze of glory.
The 21-year-old guard parted ways with Red Lions after three seasons, including capturing the NCAA Season 99 championship trophy in his third year where he was also named Finals MVP.
From one champion team to another, Cortez found himself with Topex Robinson’s Green Archers shortly after — hoping to top it all off with another title in hand.
Serving his one-year residency, Cortez is taking his time to work on his defense before getting to go up against bigger guys and imports in the UAAP, while also solidifying his chemistry with the reigning champion La Salle.
“[The transfer has been] good, but are not at that one hundred percent of chemistry yet, but we want to be on point and deadly,” Cortez said, who was named the Collegiate Press Corps’ Mythical Five in its Annual Awards Night earlier this week.
“Hopefully [I perform] better in La Salle. Because as time goes by, I’d just like to improve my game, how I play,” he added.
“During this residency, there’s a lot of time, so I’m gonna take that time to develop my skills, my strength or whatever I need to do.”
Though Cortez would very much like to play in the upcoming season to help La Salle defend its title, the 5-foot-11 guard is making the time worthwhile in the preseason tournaments and overseas training camps where he is thriving and learning the ropes.
In August, La Salle will be flying out to Japan for the third edition of the prestigious World University Series.
There, the Green Archers will be fielding their sharpest rotation which includes reigning UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao.
Though it is unclear whether Cortez will get his playing time with the squad in Japan, getting to practice with the team and seeing the competition is enough to make him all the more excited leading to his last hurrah in the collegiate scene.
