After steering San Beda University back to the NCAA throne, Jacob Cortez has some thinking to do in the offseason: to stay or look for opportunities elsewhere.
The third year ace admitted getting offers from different teams, one of which is the recently crowned UAAP champion De La Salle University, and a number of UAAP schools.
"Yeah, there are (offers), not just La Salle. Marami sa UAAP," Cortez said on the heels of their 76-66 victory against Mapua University on Sunday in front of a 23,077-strong crowd at the Araneta Coliseum.
But whether he sticks with the Red Lions or not is not yet set in stone.
For now, Cortez first plans on celebrating the championship that proved elusive for the Red Lions for the past three seasons.
"Still sticking [with San Beda]. I just want to celebrate this championship and bahala na after (let's see after)."
Cortez rose from being a reserve player for San Beda to being the king of the Lions' den.
Back in Season 97, former head coach Boyet Fernandez pulled the young Cortez from the reserve list when they were in need of a boost against De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.
He didn't disappoint in his debut, dropping seven quality points, two rebounds, and two assists to finish with averages of 5.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in a season where he only played five games.
In his sophomore year, the second generation baller was given a much bigger role as he put together 6.17 markers, 2.28 boards, 1.56 dimes and emerged as one the top scorers for the rebuilding San Beda.
Then in Season 99, San Beda mainly relied on him alongside other young guns Yukien Andrada, James Payosing, and AJ Royo.
While his rise may have attracted the attention of other schools, Cortez has yet to give a definite answer as to whether he's entertaining these offers or running it back next season with San Beda.
For now, the 5-foot-11 is just grateful for bringing back the winning tradition of a proud program like San Beda.
"[It feels] so good because like you've said, no one thought we'd be here and everyone thought we're rebuilding. They brought in coach Yuri [Escueta] and they brought in some freshmen but we just proved everything wrong," he added.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
