MIKE Cortez is one proud father seeing his sons Jacob and Mikey don the familiar green-and-whites.

So elated was the Green Archers legend that he dared say that the next generation players have already eclipsed what he has done in Taft.

“They already did. They already have,” he told SPIN.ph.

That’s quite a stretch considering the elder Cortez not only won two UAAP titles for La Salle under coach Franz Pumaren, but he was also the UAAP Season 63 Rookie of the Year back in 2000 and a two-time Mythical Team member.

But Mike explained: “Them playing together, Mikey making the shift from the US, Jacob coming over from San Beda. It’s a blessing, of course, to see my kids play especially together.”

The brothers were teammates for the first time on Wednesday at the PlayTime Cares Filoil EcoOil 18th Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive as La Salle gutted out a 69-64 victory over National University.

Jacob, 22, who came to his father’s alma mater after leading the Red Lions to the NCAA Season 99 championship, already made waves as a Green Archer following his 31-point outburst in the game prior against University of the Philippines.

Unfortunately, the 5-foot-11 point guard was ejected midway through the third quarter from this game against the Bulldogs.

But that only opened up the opportunity for Mikey, a 5-11 rookie guard out of St. Anthony High School in Long Beach, California, to earn minutes in his debut. He made it count, scoring five crucial points in the final minutes to put the game away for La Salle.

“Me and [La Salle coach] Topex [Robinson] were talking about that and saying that if Jacob didn’t get thrown out, Mikey wouldn’t have his time in the end. God works in mysterious ways,” said Mike.

Jacob and Mikey Cortez make their family proud. PHOTO: Jhon Santos

It was only a brief time – three minutes and 36 seconds to start the second half, to be exact – that Jacob and Mikey took the floor together.

Memories, however, were lasting for Mike, who remarked, “I think I was a little bit more excited than they were.”

“To them, it may look like it’s a regular day in Merville in Guadalajara Park [in Parañaque]. But for me and my wife and the rest of us in the stands, it’s a little nerve-wracking to be able to see them playing together.

"But at the end of the day, it’s basketball and it’s all about family."

There’s no question in Mike’s mind that his sons will do well for the Green Archers as he constantly reminds them to play the game the right way.

“Our text to them always before the game is to go out there and have fun, play your game, and it’s just basketball. At the end of the day, have your teammates’ backs, do what the coach asks you to do, and play to win,” said the 16-year PBA veteran.

Whether Jacob and Mikey reach the same pinnacle as their dad did in his heyday remains to be seen, but for Mike, watching his sons play in his old stomping grounds already feels like a championship won in itself.

Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph