NCAA championship for San Beda? Check. Now Jacob Cortez will be taking on the UAAP.
The King Lion is ready to take on a new challenge.
Just a few weeks after young guard Jacob Cortez helped the San Beda Red Lions win the NCAA Season 99 championship, he announced a transfer to a UAAP school.
"With great difficulty, I have decided that my time as a Red Lion is closing, and would like to officially announce that I will not be playing for San Beda University in their upcoming season," he wrote in an Instagram post on Thursday morning.
"Challenging, improving, and growing is always my goal, and so I have decided that to achieve this, I need to get out of my comfort zone. With that, I plan to compete in the UAAP."
"I have had THE BEST time at San Beda. From playing as a rookie fresh out of high school in an isolating yet invigorating bubble season to helping bring back the crown where it belongs after many have counted San Beda out."
Javee Mocon of the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, who also played for San Beda in college, was one of those who sent his well-wishes.
"Thanks for the championship brother! All the best! 🦁" he commented.
"GL on your next chapter bro," added Barangay Ginebra San Miguel's Jared Dillinger.
Cortez's father, Mike, was quick to share the celebration on Instagram Story.
"Thank you, San Beda," he wrote.
The younger baller's move inevitably draws comparisons to his father, as Mike Cortez helped the DLSU Green Archers win two UAAP championships from 2000 to 2001.
And the UAAP Season 63 Rookie of the Year was forever known as the "Cool Cat", thanks to commentator Mico Halili.
The younger Cortez has yet to announce his school of choice, but has been strongly linked to his father's alma mater.
UAAP Season 86 tournament MVP and Finals MVP Kevin Quiambao was all too excited at the possibility, saying he would accept whoever coach Topex Robinson would take.
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And coach Topex? He simply posted red and green heart emojis this Thursday morning.
Wherever Cortez goes, we're looking forward to what Mico Halili can come up with for this King Lion for the next UAAP season.