CSB-La Salle Greenhills bounced back with a 78-62 win over Jose Rizal University to grab a share of the second spot in the NCAA Season 95 juniors basketball tournament on Friday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Kobe Palencia found his stroke from deep as he went 5-of-7 from downtown, leading the Greenies with 27 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Jiam Quiambao added 13 points built on three triples, on top of four boards, while RC Calimag had 12 points and five rebounds.
JC Macalalag also got things done in the paint with 11 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
LSGH tied Lyceum at second place with 6-3 cards behind San Beda at 7-1.
"Talagang ginawa kong motivation for them is to win today because we know it’s going to be harder in the second round," said coach Karl Santos."Of course maraming teams ang naghahabol sa standings, so as much as possible gusto namin makakuha ng separation dun sa mga mas mababa sa top four right now."
The Greenies started to create breathing room in the second quarter, turning a tight 21-20 affair to a 44-35 lead as Palencia and Quiambao continued to find their mark from beyond the arc in the second half to down the Light Bombers.
Jonathan Medina paced JRU (4-5) with 11 points and eight rebounds, as Jan Sy, Condrad Famaranco, and Vince Icban had 10 points each.
The scores:
CSB-LSGH 78 - Palencia 27, Quiambao 13, Calimag 12, Macalalag 11, Estil 3, Valenzuela 2, Manansala 2, Arciaga 2, Panlilio 2, Reyes 2, Dimaunahan 1, Arguelles 1, Gagate 0, Rivera 0, Torrijos 0.
JRU 62 - Medina 11, J. Sy 10, Famaranco 10, Icban 10, Fortuna 9, Garcia 5, Lenon 3, Ganut 2, Gentalan 2, Joson 0, Ramirez 0, W. Sy 0, Salvacion 0.
Quarterscores: 21-20; 44-35; 65-50; 78-62.