BY John Miles Arcenal
FROM a barbershop in Manila to a bedroom in the U.S., a simple phone call between Kean Baclaan and Jacob Cortez cemented La Salle’s future - and the beginning of one of the most dynamic duos in the UAAP.
When Cortez got wind of Baclaan’s transfer, the former didn’t waste time and dialed the latter from overseas to make sure.
“Sure ka?” Cortez asked.
“Sure ako,” Baclaan replied.
With that phone call, the former high school rivals built the foundation of their partnership that would soon anchor the Green Archers' backcourt.
“Magkakilala na kami ni Jacob since high school eh. Siyempre, happy ako kasi magkasama kami. And tingin ko nagtutulungan kami kasi hindi lang naman sa court kami nagsasama, outside din,” Baclaan shared.
Off the court, they spend time eating out, playing in charity games, or simply hanging together, but for Cortez, what makes their bond special is the respect they’ve always shared - even back when they were rivals.
“We’ve been going against each other since juniors. Now that we’re together, off the court, we spend a lot of time with each other. Our chemistry is up there.” he said, as Cortez once played for University of Santo Tomas, while Baclaan saw action for De La Salle Zobel in the juniors.
Keep in mind they're not indistinguishable by any means, however. Baclaan is known for his content creation and funny posts on social media, while Cortez is more of the silent, laidback type.
But despite their differences, one thing unites them - their love for the game.
“I would say very different kami. Yung basketball lang talaga yung common ground namin, but it works,” Cortez said.
One ball, one goal
Indeed, when the ball tips, that brotherhood turns into chemistry and their egos stay checked at the door.
“Never kami nag-away sa court ni Jacob. Once na mainit si Jacob, binibigay ko sa kanya. Once na alam niya mainit ako, binibigay niya yung bola sa akin. Give and take lang kami.” Baclaan stressed.
Cortez shared the same sentiments by expressing, “Sometimes he’s playing bad, I’m playing good. Sometimes I play bad, he’s playing good. But we both motivate each other. Since we’re the point guards, we have to re-assess and see what works for the team.”
This Taft duo knows the great expectations thrust upon them this upcoming UAAP Season 88 - Cortez carrying the weight of his father’s name, as Baclaan tries to silence doubters since leaving NU.
But instead of being burdened, they’ve turned that pressure into motivation.
"Lagi ko lang sinasabi, need lang namin i-prove yung sarili namin sa mga doubters namin, sa mga haters namin. Not just for ourselves, but for the people supporting us," Baclaan said.
Cortez echoed him, saying, “I don’t like to think of it as hype. It’s just standards. No pressure, laro lang.”
READ: La Salle begins UAAP redemption bid vs Adamson in season opener
Rooted in their love for basketball, the Baclaan-Cortez tandem isn’t just La Salle’s newest drivers at the wheel, it's revving up to be the best backcourt in college today.
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