AFTER prized incoming rookie Jared Bahay had a change of heart and opted to withdraw his commitment to play for University of the Philippines, ace playmaker Jacob Cortez, formerly of defending NCAA champion San Beda University, formally ended a month-long sweepstakes on his next destination.
It was a no-brainer, after all, since there were already talks from the grapevine that the 5-foot-10 son of former La Salle and PBA star Mike was headed to his father’s collegiate team–the Green Archers.
The younger Cortez made the move official three days ago, posting a photo of him inside the La Sall campus’ Green Archer statue with the caption: “Then vs now.”
Highly reliable Malaya-Business Insight insiders from the collegiate ranks said Bahay and Cortez were offered allowances over the moon–P800,000 per month, and other perks that underscored the big dilemma UAAP and NCAA teams are facing these days as player poaching continue to rear its ugly head.
Cortez averaged 15.4 points, 3.56 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.17 steals in his third season with the Lions and played a pivotal role in their title triumph opposite the Mapua University Cardinals last December.
Cortez’s addition will certainly boost the Taft-based five’s bid for a second straight crown after losing lead point guard Evan Nelle due to graduation.
La Salle will still have reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao for the next cage wars set later this year.
The 5-foot-11 Bahay, the No. 1 prospect in the NBTC’s annual rankings of the best high school cagers in the Philippines, led Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu to its third straight diadem in the CESAFI also late last year.
Bahay, 18, is a Gilas Pilipinas Youth mainstay and averaged 16.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 3.0 steals en route to winning the finals MVP award in SHS-Ateneo’s title triumph over University of the Visayas.
Blue Eagles coach Tab Baldwin watched the CESAFI Big Dance that fueled rumors that Bahay might go to Ateneo.
Bahay, 18, is a Gilas Pilipinas Youth mainstay and averaged 16.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 3.0 steals en route to winning the finals MVP award in SHS-Ateneo’s title triumph over University of the Visayas.
