Nitura, Pagaran shine as Altas eliminate Chiefs

Marcus Nitura showed his defensive fangs just as Christian Pagaran manned the scoring on the other end, enabling Perpetual to shut the door on Arellano’s playoff bid with an 81-74 win in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament on Tuesday, Nov. 7, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

While Pagaran was all business offensively for the Altas after finishing with 21 points, it was Nitura who took care of the other tangibles after listing 13 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and five steals, enough to turn down the Chiefs’ final stand and bag their sixth win in 13 games.

More importantly, Perpetual kept its Final Four hopes alive midway into the second round of elimination while Arellano kissed its semis dream goodbye with a measly 2-11 record.

As of press time, the Las Piñas-based squad trails co-leaders Mapua and Lyceum (10-3), joint third College of St. Benilde and San Beda (8-4), Jose Rizal University (8-5), and Emilio Aguinaldo College (7-6).

Perpetual head coach Myk Saguiguit credited the team’s chemistry and ball movement that proved vital in their victory.

“Kung ganon lagi kami we gonna be better, magiging competitive yung team namin,” said Saguiguit, whose Atlas recorded 22 assists.

“Kaya dapat yung assist department laging mapuntahan palagi,” he added.

Jeadan Ongotan chalked up 16 points and six rebounds while Lorenz Capulong backstopped him with 15 points in a losing effort for the Chiefs.