Jacob Cortez has an important and life-changing decision to make in his rising basketball career: to continue writing his legacy with San Beda University or accept the offers to play for other schools such as his father's alma mater, De La Salle University.
However, for hoops icon Mike Cortez, wherever the young floor general goes, it should be where his heart is.
"My advice to him career-wise is you have to follow your heart. Whatever your heart tells you, at the end of the day, you don’t want to be in a place where your heart is not," Mike told GMA Integrated News in an interview on Friday.
"Of course, there’s going to be consequences for whatever he chooses. That’s the only advice I’m going to give him. At the end of the day, it’s going to be his choice and the only thing I can do is support him."
Jacob is fresh from an unforgettable NCAA Season 99 run, where he and the Red Lions defied the odds to bring the crown back to Mendiola and end the school's five-year title drought in the men's basketball tournament.
Right after completing the job, the 5-foot-10 playmaker revealed that an opportunity to play in La Salle had presented itself. Since then, though, the young Cortez has yet to finalize his decision.
"There’s an offer from La Salle and he’s still weighing his options and nothing is for sure as of now. I think, right now, he’s weighing what's best for his future not only in basketball but also in academics," added Mike, who is also an assistant coach for Blackwater in the PBA.
Donning the green and white of La Salle, though, is nothing new for the 21-year-old Jacob.
Back in the high school ranks, he suited up for La Salle Green Hills in the NCAA juniors competition but it was with the Red Lions where he would make a name for himself.
Their ties with La Salle also goes beyond him as Mike was a product of the school when he towed the Green Archers to a pair of UAAP titles in the early 2000s before further making a mark in the pros.
"Also, I'm from La Salle and he went to La Salle in high school so we have family ties there so of course, the opportunity to go to UAAP and play for La Salle is there and there might be a chance. But right now, nothing is for sure yet," Mike added.
San Beda ready for anything
Regardless of Jacob's decision, San Beda is ready to move forward.
Red Lions head coach Yuri Escueta bared that they have enough manpower for the centennial season where they will eye to seize back-to-back titles.
Still expected to lead the Red Lions is incoming fourth year forward Yukien Andrada, who was among the crucial pieces for their Season 99 campaign, as well as Jomel Puno, James Payosing, Nygel Gonzales, and Aaron Royo.
They will also welcome transferees Penny Estacio, Bryan Sajonia, and brothers RC and Richi Calimag, all of whom are expected to bring a huge boost to the San Beda program.
"Of course, [Jacob's exit will be a] big blow for us but again, I think boss Jude [Roque] did a good job preparing us for this kasi even before the season, may mga teams naman na kumukuha na sa kanya," Escueta shared, while referring to San Beda team manager Jude Roque.
"I think what boss Jude did this year is to prepare the team or the program for whatever happens. That’s why we got sila Calimags, sila Penny, para kung mangyari ulit ‘yung last year, ready ‘yung program at hindi mapipilay."
(Of course, [Jacob's exit will be a] big blow for us but again, I think boss Jude [Roque] did a good job preparing us for this because even before the season, other teams are getting him. I think what boss Jude did this year is to prepare the team or the program for whatever happens. That's why we got the Calimags, Penny, for when things happen like last year, the program is ready and will not be fractured.)
Last season saw some players part ways with San Beda such as Justine Sanchez, Tony Ynot, and Gab Cometa.
Escueta also added that they won't hold it against Jacob if ever he does decide to continue his basketball career in a different school.
"If ever he does, of course susuportahan naman namin ‘yung decision niya and if ever he thinks that’s the right decision for him, of course we wish them well," he said.
"Sayang, but again we have to move on and control things that we can control."
(If ever he does, of course we will support his decision and if ever he thinks that's the right decision for him, of course we wish them well. There's regret, but again, we have to move on and control things that we can control.)
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
