NOT today, Jacob Cortez.
That was the call Jacob Bayla picked up all night long, stepping into the very heart of the University of the Philippines’ defensive game plan to keep the Fighting Maroons alive in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball finals.
READ: UP refuses to quit vs La Salle to force winner-take-all Game 3
When coach Goldwin Monteverde dialed up defense on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena, it was Bayla who answered.
Thrown into a familiar assignment—shadowing the other side’s top gun—Bayla leaned on experience.
Last year, it was Kevin Quiambao. This time, it was the other Jacob, the scoring machine and 'Clutch Cat' Cortez.
“I owe it to myself to try to guard him. He’s a really good player. Past three games, he had over 20 points. I try to do my best, whatever it takes to win, I’ll do it,” Bayla said.
From his perspective, there was nothing heroic about it. Just responsibility.
“I’m just doing my job. Whenever coach wants me to do something, I’m always willing to do whatever he wants. I want to win the championship, everything,” he said.
"I guard Harold [Alarcon] and Reyland [Torres] every day, that makes me better. They always push me. They’re my kuyas, and it’s their last year, I want to give them a good send off.”
Asst. coach Christian Luanzon later revealed what was already evident on the floor—the staff trusted Bayla with the call.
And for Bayla, the moment was bigger than matchups and minutes. It was a childhood dream ringing true, far away from California where he grew up.
“I just looked up in the crowd today, thinking about being at home, just dreaming as a kid. Playing in front of 20 thousand today, that’s a big accomplishment, just excited for what the future has,” he said.
Bayla, amor
Even before tip-off, another call came through — this one from home.
It was from his mother, Eva, a constant presence in the UP crowd since his commitment.
“Before the game I heard mom, she sent a voice message to me, she was like ‘Don’t be in the moment, be the moment,’” he said. “So I just want to embrace everything, all the adversity, all the challenges that come with the finals, the big atmosphere.”
Monteverde called for defense against Cortez. UP needed an answer in this must-win game.
It was their very own Jacob who picked up — and he was more than enough to give the Fighting Maroons one last shot at history.
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