MANILA, Philippines — De La Salle Green Archers guard Jacob Cortez paid a heartfelt tribute to his former San Beda Red Lions teammate John Vincent "JV" Gallego, who died in a car crash on Saturday.
He was 28.
Cortez, who won a championship with Gallego at the NCAA Season 99 men's basketball tournament back in 2023, remembered how his senior took him under his wing.
"I'll never forget my first day at the Beda bubble. I didn’t know anyone so you and Peter came up to me and said, 'Yo, what's up, bro,' assuming i didn't speak Tagalog," wrote the 24-year-old Cortez in a Facebook post Sunday.
"Ever since then I knew i had an older brother who took me under his wing. You protected me. You taught me so much on and off the court. Even till now you would check up on me after games or even on a random day."
A 5-foot-10 point guard, Gallego played for the National University Bulldogs from UAAP Seasons 79 to 82 before deciding to play his last collegiate eligibility year with San Beda in the NCAA.
Gallego was also a standout in his junior days as part of the Gilas Pilipinas Youth team in the FIBA Asia U18 Championships in 2016.
After a brief stint at the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) in 2024, Gallego served as the head coach of the Colegio San Agustin Makati High School boys’ basketball team.
Cortez, who transferred to La Salle in 2024, shared he and Gallego were still having a conversation a few days before the latter passed away.
"I would never forget that you would always tell me to not pass to our other teammates, as a joke, because you always knew of my capabilities as a player," said Cortez.
"Just some nights ago we were both talking abt the past and our memories as teammates. We were talking about how you were coaching at the school where I started playing basketball. We were talking about your future with Chloe. You were making sure i was still focused with basketball."
Cortez said that while it "hurts" to see Gallego go, the latter will now at least reunite with his late father.
"Ill always remember how you talked about your dad and how it hurt you when he passed. You even showed me your unfinished tattoo of him on your back. At least, now you can finally reunite with him after a long time," said Cortez.
"Ill forever miss you and your trash talks from the time you were the No. 1 player coming out of high school. Rest in peace my brother, lucky lefty, my rookie veteran. I wouldn't be how i am now without you in my life. I love you brother and look after me up there."
