By MARK REY MONTEJO
Marcus Nitura and Christian Pagaran formed a deadly1-2 punch as University of Perpetual Help grabbed an 81-74 victory over Arellano University to keep its flickering semis hopes alive in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament on Tuesday, Nov. 7, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Pagaran led all scorers with 21 points while Nitura produced a brilliant all-around effort of 13 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and 5 steals to lead the Altas to their 6th win in 13 starts.
That also enabled coach Myk Saguiguit to heave a big sigh of relief after the win which he credited to unselfish basketball that saw them tally 22 assists.
“Kung ganon lagi kami, we gonna be better, magiging competitive yung team namin,” Saguiguit stressed. “Kaya dapat yung assist department laging mapuntahan palagi.”
For Perpetual to stay in the race, it must sweep its last five outings starting with its rematch with first-round conqueror San Beda on Friday.
“This win is a good thing for us, maganda motivation going up against San Beda sa Friday, first round we lost to them by two points,” said Saguiguit referring to their 62-60 setback to the Lions last Oct. 17.
The Las Piñas-based squad outgunned the Chiefs, 20-12, in the third to post a sizable 68-52 lead going into the payoff period.
The Chiefs, already out of the semis scene with a 2-11 mark, tried to inject life to their cause but the Nitura and Pagaran found an ally in Mark Omega who delivered vital baskets that kept the Sampaloc-based squad at bay.
Omega finished with 10 points, four rebounds and two blocks.
The scores:
UPHSD 81– Pagaran 21, Nitura 13, Omega 10, Nunez 9, Abis 8, Barcuma 7, Gelsano 6, Razon 4, Sevilla 2, Ropque 1, Boral 0, Orgo 0, Movida 0, Ferreras 0.
AU 74– Ongotan 16, Capulong 15, Valencia 13, Geronimo 9, Mallari 6, Sunga 5, Villerente 4, Talampas 4, Abastillas 2, Yanes 0, Dayrit 0, Lustina 0, Camay 0, Rosalin 0, Tan 0.
Quarters: 21-15; 44-32; 67-52; 81-74
