De La Salle University star Jacob Cortez, La Salle legend Mike Cortez, and their family after the Green Archers’ UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball championship victory over University of the Philippines. Photo by Rom Anzures, ABS-CBN News.MANILA — It was exactly two years ago, on December 17, 2023, when Jacob Cortez celebrated his first collegiate championship with San Beda University in NCAA Season 99, and watching from the stands that night was his father, Mike Cortez.
Even then, the challenge was already forming.
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Rumors soon swirled that the younger Cortez was headed for De La Salle University — the same school where his father captured two UAAP titles — and a month later, Jacob left Mendiola for Taft Avenue, turning speculation into reality.
What began as a challenge quickly became a promise: to bring another UAAP championship to the Cortez household, just as Mike had done two decades earlier with the Green Archers.
Fast forward to the present — December 17, 2025, two years to the very day — and Jacob delivered.
The younger Cortez helped La Salle dethrone University of the Philippines to claim the Season 88 men’s basketball championship, completing a journey marked by patience, pressure, and belief.
“Mission accomplished,” Mike told ABS-CBN News as he reflected on his son’s latest triumph. “I got spoiled by him because he also won with San Beda.”
Former San Beda University star Jacob Cortez with his father Mike Cortez and their family during the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball Finals. File photo by Rom Anzures, ABS-CBN News.“He sat out a year, but he promised to win that crown back,” he added. “Through all the ups and downs, they did it.”
The championship marked La Salle’s redemption after stumbling in Season 87, a year removed from lifting its 10th title in Season 86.
It was a familiar feeling for Mike, who had lived through the Green Archers’ glory days as one of the lead guards in half of their historic four-peat earlier in the millennium (2000, 2001).
But the former Alaska Aces star insists that the comparisons with his son end with the surname.
“I’ve been telling people, he’s been out of my shadow ever since,” Mike said. “He’s got his own game, and comparing me to him is like apples to oranges.”
What Jacob’s Season 88 triumph ultimately did was allow him to carve out his own place in La Salle history.
“He’s created his own legacy,” Mike emphasized. “I’m only his father, and he’s not just my son anymore. He’s totally created his own name.”
One thing remains unfinished, however. Mike won two UAAP titles with La Salle, a benchmark now standing as Jacob’s next challenge.
“At the end of the day, we’re both two-time champions,” Mike said. “So hopefully, they can win it again next year and go back-to-back.”