FOLLOWING WEEKS OF persistent rumors, Jacob Cortez has officially announced that he will be leaving the San Beda Red Lions and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to compete in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).
Making the announcement through his official Instagram account, the young point guard said that his “time as a Red Lion is closing” and that he needed to “get out of [his] comfort zone.”
In his farewell message, Cortez also extended his thanks to the Red Lions’ patron and San Beda University (SBU) Chairman of the Board, Manny V. Pangilinan, Team Manager Jude Roque, Head Coach Yuri Escueta, and his teammates, whom he considers to be as his “brothers.”
In an exclusive interview with The Bedan shortly after making his announcement, Cortez, despite talk in online circles that his father Mike—who previously played for the De La Salle Green Archers—may have influenced his decision to transfer, emphasized that it was a purely “personal decision.”
“After playing three years with San Beda and after winning… finally winning a championship with San Beda in the NCAA, I just felt that it was time to step out of my comfort zone to help myself improve not only as a player, but also as a person,” said Cortez.
Chatter that he would not be playing in the NCAA’s centennial season began to emerge after the “Cool Cub” confirmed that there were offers for him to play for other schools shortly after helping the Red Lions claim its 23rd men’s basketball crown in December of last year. He confirmed to The Bedan that he would indeed be transferring to Taft soon.
Despite having two playing years left in his collegiate career, Cortez also shared how his remaining years of eligibility became another motivator for his decision. “That was also a factor in why I actually decided [to transfer]. Because if… I just thought to myself if I wouldn’t ever take the chance, I would always regret it in the future. So, I wanted to take this opportunity to transfer.”
Minted by his fans as the new “King Lion,” Cortez, who committed to San Beda back in 2021 and has played three seasons with the Red Lions since, became a pivotal piece in the Mendiola-based squad’s Season 99 championship run, eventually ending their five-year championship drought.
Initially a reserve player, Cortez first suited up for the Red Lions in Season 97. He proved to be an instant spark plug off the bench, providing the team with offense when needed, logging in 5.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in the five games that he played in that season.
Then nabbing a starting role in Season 99, Cortez proved to be a great lieutenant in the Red Lions’ fierce comeback campaign, drastically improving his averages to 15.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists.
Despite bidding the Lions’ Den adieu, the departing “King Lion” is left with nothing but gratitude to the Bedan community. “Thank you for all the support, all the trust that you gave me since my first year here in San Beda. Unfortunately, hindi tayo magkaroon ng back-to-back [together] but I think they can do it without me.”
In Cortez’s absence, a plethora of new and equally-capable recruits will be suiting up for the Red Lions’ Season 100 title defense. These names include Bryan Sajonia, Joe Celzo, and Menard Songcuya—who all come from Far Eastern University (FEU), Collin Dimaculangan and Bismarck Lina from the University of the Philippines (UP), Ronrei Tolentino from Centro Escolar University (CEU), brothers RC and Richi Calimag (who both have strong Bedan ties), as well as Penny Estacio, who recently transferred from the De La Salle University (DLSU).
(with reports from Anne Julia Francisco and Francesca Zia Robles)