Clutch Jacob Cortez shines in UAAP debut as La Salle escapes Adamson

Jacob Cortez wasted no time making his presence felt in the UAAP, steering De La Salle University to a 60-58 hard-fought win over Adamson University in UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament on Saturday. 

The transferee guard came up big in the endgame to finish with 16 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals to mark his first UAAP collegiate game since transferring from San Beda University. 

Cortez, who once led the Red Lions to the NCAA Season 99 title, erased Adamson's 56-53 lead by completing a layup and knocking down a tough floater to give La Salle back the lead, 57-56, with 1:40 left in the fourth period. 

He later forced an offensive foul on Ray Allen Torres just before his backcourt partner Kean Baclaan was helped off the floor with a minute remaining.

La Salle’s composure held firm, as Cortez dished out a clutch assist that set up a Mason Amos triple that proved to be the dagger even with John Medina trimming the gap on a last-second putback.

Backstopping Cortez was Mike Phillips, who detonated for a double-double of 17 points and 16 rebounds while rookie big man Lebron Jhames Daep churned out eight markers, three boards, two steals, and one dime. 

Scores:

DLSU 60 – Phillips 17, Cortez 16, Daep 8, Amos 6, Gollena 3, Marasigan 3, Abadam 2, Dungo 2, Nwankwo 2, Baclaan 1, Macalalag 0, Gomez 0, Pablo 0.

AdU 58 – Manzano 19, Erolon 10, Torres 8, Fransman 5, Medina 5, Ojarikre 4, Perez 4, Tumaneng 2, Anabu 1, Montebon 0, Demisana 0, Barcelona 0, C. Ronzone 0, A. Ronzone 0.

Quarters: 15-18, 33-25, 49-46, 60-58.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News