 On November 7, 2012, he was traded back to the Express, in exchange for rookie Yousef Taha, where he reunited with coach Franz Pumaren, Ren-Ren Ritualo and Cholo Villanueva — all members of the 2001 La Salle four-peat squad.On September 6, 2013, he was traded to Meralco Bolts in exchange for the rights of Asi Taulava, who at that time was coming off a successful campaign in the ASEAN Basketball League with San Miguel Beermen.On August 7, 2015, Cortez and James Sena were traded by Meralco to the Blackwater Elite in exchange for Larry Rodriguez, who was also traded by the Bolts to the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters via the Elite in exchange for Jimmy Alapag.