Jacob Cortez knows that he’s got to step up big time for the DLSU Green Archers.
Already the DLSU Green Archers’ lead guard for UAAP Season 88, Jacob Cortez knows that he’s bound for a bigger responsibility as the tournament moves forward.
As they move forward without Mason Amos and Kean Baclaan, Cortez is aware that he must step up from a leadership standpoint, especially with the Archers facing an uphill climb to the Final Four when the second round of eliminations begin.
On Sunday, October 9, Cortez showed that he is up to the task of leading the embattled Archers, as he finished with 12 points, five rebounds, and six assists in their 72-69 victory over the UP Fighting Maroons at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Sunday. The “Cool Cub” also capped off his steady performance by securing the rebound off Chicco Briones’ missed triple to tie the game.
“A win is a win; we have a lot of things to work on, but I like that everyone stepped up today, especially Pabs (Luis Pablo), and that translated to another big win, and it’s a good momentum going into the next round,” Cortez told a few reporters post-game.
“Just by being a good leader [to sustain the momentum], keeping the morale up just by talking to them and spending time with them. And I also can’t forget about my performance, I have to play well too, and to be that leader on the court as well.”
However, the Cool Cub’s sense of responsibility goes deeper, which is rooted in his deep bond with Baclaan and Amos. Along with Pablo, the group went through residency together last year before making their long-awaited debut for this season.
As a testament to their brotherhood, Cortez even wore Baclaan’s jersey during his warmup against the Fighting Maroons on Sunday.
“We waited a year [together] and we played some games, so I think our bond is stronger, and it became stronger when they came into the team and did their job, but I don’t know if they’re going to be back again,” Cortez reflected.
“So I feel like I have to take the responsibility of stepping it up a notch and leading this team to the playoffs, the finals, and eventually winning the championship.”
Although Season 88 has been far from ideal for the Archers, Cortez believes they have begun to find their groove heading into Round 2 of eliminations.
“I think after today, after the first round, we finally started to click, and it’s all about sticking together besides the X and Os. We just got to stick together, trust each other, and I think that’s going to help us win; that’s going to help us in the second round and eventually the playoffs.”
Images courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.