NCAA: Knights veteran named week’s best

JAM Cortes, the 24-year-old native from Cagayan, has turned in explosive back-to-back games for the Letran Knights, who now have the inside track in the race for a Final Four berth in the NCAA basketball tournament.

Cortes, who was co-captain last year and this year with Junjun Alas, came through with 25 points and 14 rebounds in their recent 86-80 win against the EAC Generals. Before that, he also had a double-double finish of 16 points and 10 boards in their 70-59 come-from-behind win against JRU.

Their victory against EAC not only gave the Knights their 11th win against six defeats, but this also earned them at least a playoff for the No. 2 two spot if San Sebastian drops one of its last two assignments.

Cortes’ performances earned him the Accel 3XVI NCAA Press Corps Player of the Week honors.

Letran Coach Louie Alas says Cortes is a workhorse even during training.

“Walang day-off yang si Jam (Jam doesn’t take days off),” Alas said. “Day in and day out maaasahan talaga sya (you can rely on him). Kung ano ang pinapakita nya sa game, ganyan din yan sa practice (what he shows in games are the same things he shows in practice). He’s living up to expectations since last season na nya ngayon (it’s his last season).”

Cortes, who is averaging 12.3 points and nine rebounds per game, is the third Knight to bag the Player of the Week award this season after Kevin Alas’ and Kevin Racal’s citations a few weeks back.

He bested Byron Villarias of Jose Rizal University, who had 28 points in their 82-74 win over bigwig San Sebastian.