Foul-troubled Joshua Marcos struck hard in the last three minutes to help lift the La Salle Greenhills Greenies to an 80-73 win over the Jose Rizal University Light Bombers on Tuesday evening at the Arena in San Juan.
Marcos, who had 15 points with Joel Cagulangan and Mark Sangco, scored twice underneath in the last three minutes with baskets that powered the Greenies to their 11th triumph in 15 games.
This kept the Greenies in contention for the no. 2 seeding in the Final Four semifinals of the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association junior basketball tournament.
“It’s going to be a steep hill to climb coming into the end of the second round. We will need every victory in our remaining games,” said LSGH coach Marvin Bienvenida as they bounced back from back-to-back setbacks to the defending champion Malayan Red Robins and San Sebastian Staglets.
The Greenies are ahead of the San Beda Red Cubs, who are close at 10-5, and are after the no. 2 seeding as well.
Earlier, the San Beda Red Cubs drew double digits from Evan Nelle in three others as they routed the University of Perpetual Help Junior Altas, 87-66.
Nelle banged in 16 points while Peter Alfaro and Luke Sese added 12, and Germy Mahinay hit 11.
The 6’2 Marcos, a 12th grader, first shattered a 72-all tie with his two charities before his putback in the last 2:15gave them a 76-72 lead.
The Light Bombers, behind Ronnie Camua with 21, fell behind on two turnovers off misses by John Amores, Camua, Raphael Buazon and Javine Serrano.
To keep the no. 2 seeding LSGH needs to hurdle their last assignments against the Arellano Braves, the Emilio Aguinaldo College Brigadiers and the Letran Squires.