PALS ROQUE, NITURA NOW CENTRAL FIGURES OF 'BATTLE OF INTRAMUROS'

JUN Roque and Cyrus Nitura developed quite a bond in Perpetual when the two wings played big roles in the Altas’ near final-four run in NCAA Season 99. 

Roque averaged 12.94 points and 7.5 rebounds, while Nitura chipped in 10.11 points and 6.83 rebounds for that promising Altas side, and their relationship extended outside of the confines of the basketball court. 

"Kumbaga kami yung partner dati," Nitura said.

"Magkasama kami kahit sa kwarto, lahat ng gagawin namin sabay kami," added Roque.

But while that bond was unbreakable, their partnership on the court wasn’t. 

As soon after their respective breakout seasons, the two went on separate ways to pursue their collegiate career elsewhere. 

Roque is now playing for Letran while Nitura now plies his trade for defending champion Mapua. 

The now-Letran forward detailed how his exit came to be and how his good friend took it. 

"Actually nauna ako," Roque explained. "Kinausap ko yung governor namin sa Pampanga na gusto ko na lumipat, tapos sumunod siya."

"Nag uusap kami lagi na ‘lilipat ka ba? Ganon-ganon. Sabi ko buo na loob ko," he added.

PHOTO: Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup

On opposite ends now

They met each other for the first time in a preseason game where they’re already part of the main roster in the PlayTime Cares Filoil Preseason Cup last week. 

Roque made sure to remind his old friend just how good he can be on the floor as he finished with 15 points, butt it was Nitura’s Cardinals who took the win with the latter posting six assists, six rebounds and three steals 

According to Nitura, seeing his running mate on the other end was definitely weird but in the end, he understands it’s basketball. 

"Kapag andun na kami sa court–batian, harutan. Pero pag in-game na, may onting trashtalkan. Pero ‘yung trashtalkan namin parang biruan pa rin, eh," he added.

Still, Roque admits that they’re relationship certainly took a hit – at least when it comes to accessibility now to each other. 

"Parang nagka-barrier kasi hiwalay na–hindi katulad noong teammate kami sa Perps," he said. 

Nonetheless, he’s happy to see Nitura fit in with the Cardinals. 

"Sobrang saya ko para sa kanya kasi komportable siya sa nilipatan niya," he said. 

"Nakikita ko naman yung ginagawa namin sa Perps na mga asaran sa mga teammate ginagawa din naman niya.

Of course, it didn’t help that their transfers landed them as central figures of the ‘Battle in Intramuros' rivalry now. 

But Roque shared how this goes beyong the two of them now.  they're just merely gonna play a role in one of the NCAA's top notch rivalries.

"Hindi na sa aming dalawa eh. Kumbaga yung culture ng Letran vs Mapua hindi na sa aming dalawa eh. Sa eskwela na itong taasan ng pride."

2025-06-10T12:03:28Z