Being one of the veterans in a team stacked with younger cagers may be new for him, but for Jeff Viernes, he’s more than willing to fulfill that role.
Still fresh from his Thailand stint, the 28-year-old made his return to his homeland on Tuesday via the Che’lu-San Sebastian Revellers in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants Cup Quarterfinals versus Gamboa-St. Clare Coffee Lovers.
His veteran smarts showed up right away in his D-League return, pouring a team-best 22 points along with five rebounds, five assists, and two steals to lead the Revellers to a come-from-behind, semis-clinching, 80-72 victory.
“Dati, nung last akong naglaro ng D-League, I think mga 2015, 2016, ‘di naman ako beterano noon,” recalled Viernes, who had stints with Jumbo Plastic and Racal.
“Ngayon, isa na ‘ko sa mga beterano at inaasahan.”
Viernes has played for two years in Thailand with Hi-Tec City Bangkok, where he played as the team’s reinforcement. For him, playing as the squad’s lead option taught him lots of lessons, and that is what he aims to bring to Che’lu.
“Experience ko sa Thailand kakaiba,” reflected the St. Clare College product. “Kasi doon ‘pag import ka ikaw yung aasahan ng team.
“So kailangan talaga yung mindset mo madala mo yung team hanggang makuha niyo yung panalo.”
Asked if this new D-League stint is his way of earning another ticket to the PBA, the former Phoenix Fuel Masters signee bared that his focus for now is helping the Revellers and long-time coach Stevenson Tiu in the semis.
Che’lu will play top seed Akari-Adamson Soaring Falcons in a best-of-three series.
“Afrer this wala pa ‘kong plano kung magtutuloy ako,” shared the 5-foot-7 floor general. “Last month kasi cinontact ako ni Coach Steve, sabi niya after daw ng stint ko sa Thailand baka pwede ko siyang tulungan dito for the playoffs.
“Ang number one goal ko now is matulungan ‘tong Che’lu — kung sana papalarin kami magtuloy-tuloy hanggang Finals or maybe kung may swerte, makuha namin ‘tong conference.”
