IF EVERYTHING proceeds without hitches, former high school sensation Jun Cortez will likely suit up for the men’s senior basketball team next year.
Cortez, who did not play last season for being over-aged, hopes to make his much-awaited debut as a Growling Tiger in the UAAP’s 66th season.
Last year, it looked as if the 20-year-old would be the floor general for the Tigers after seeing action at Fr. Martin’s Cup. However, arrangements for him to skip his senior year of high school via the Pupil Evaluation Program (PEP) acceleration test failed.
Cortez said he is yet to be recruited by UST men’s basketball head coach Aric Del Rosario, but he is so keen on playing for the Tigers that he didn’t even bother to take entrance exams in other universities.
“Siguro, dito na ako maglalaro. Hindi ko rin kasi makalimutan ‘yung eskuwelahan,” he said.
However, not everything is in place for the 2001 UAAP junior basketball’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). Being in the College of Commerce waiting list, he is still awaiting confirmation for a Pre-Com slot.
Despite sitting out a year, Cortez hasn’t let up on his training, joining the Tiger Cubs’ practices while waiting for the opportunity to enter the college ranks.
“Nag-eensayo pa rin ako. Baka next year makalaro na ako. Kasi kulang ang seniors ng point guard,” the Pampanga native added.
Cortez is not the only Tiger Cub expected to be recruited during the summer break. John Paul “Japs” Cuan, Loureck Tong, Leopoldo Bag-o and Joseph Busa will also be graduating this year. Christian B. Bautista
