Claws out for Ginebra's Cool Cat

Cool Cat: Never too late for a re-emergence

A few years ago, Mike Cortez was hailed as the country's premier point guard while playing for the De La Salle University Green Archers and leading them to a string of Finals appearances. At 6"0 170 lbs., Cortez wasn't just PBA ready, he was THE guy looked at as the standard bearer for the new generation following Johnny Abarrientos' off-court struggles.

During those days, we were settling for Olsen Racela, Boyet Fernandez and even Jason Webb-- guys who, on their best day, may not even be able to keep Cortez from driving into the lane.

But how quickly one Finals series changed everything for Cortez.


Losing to heated rival Ateneo de Manila University which came up with a brilliant ploy to crossmatch 6"4 forward Rich Alvarez on Cortez, the DLSU train fell of the tracks and the ensuing venom was all unfairly directed at the Fil-Am guard.

It took time for Cortez to throw his hat into the PBA draft and once he did, Alaska quickly swooped in to take him as Top Overall pick thinking they'd get the Cool Cat of old. Sadly, that wasn't the case and Cortez was putting up reasonable yet un-Top Pick-worthy numbers.

Then came the trade to Ginebra, and Cortez found himself back in the loving arms of the country's biggest fanbase. People no longer calls him out for that one bleep in his basketball career back in college, much like they quickly embraced Junthy Valenzuela (who they jeered "Diego" for years) and Ronald Tubid (who is the most hated guy in the PBA outside of MacMac Cardona).

Yes, it is still quite mind-boggling that Cortez splits backcourt duties with Rob Labagala. He's a great spitfire guard yes, but no one would ever confuse Labagala with an L.A. Tenorio or JVee Casio.

This conference, in only 26.88 minutes of action, Cortez is putting up 9 points, 4.25 rebounds, 3.62 assists and 1.25 turnovers which are pretty solid for a back-up guard.

In Ginebra's most recent win over sister team B-Meg, Cortez was given free reign to run the offense in 39 minutes of burn and put up Cool Cat-like numbers of 12 points and 11 assists while throwing in 7 rebounds for good measure.

Though it took a while, the old "hands in prayer with a crucifix" ink has been covered/ added to and the knee-high socks has been shelved, there's no denying that in this day and age of superstar PBA guards, Mike Cortez still belongs near the top of the PG hierarchy.