Jeff Viernes poured 22 points in his PBA D-League return, lifting the Che’Lu-San Sebastian Revellers to the semifinals as they pulled the rug from under the Gamboa-St. Clare Coffee Lovers, 80-72, Tuesday at the Pasig Sports Center.
The 28-year-old guard gave the Revellers a much-needed shot in the arm and took the bulk of the scoring cudgels, pouring 10 in the payoff period as they overturned what was once a 13-point deficit to progress to the Final Four.
Viernes — who briefly played for the Phoenix Fuel Masters last season in the PBA before taking his act to Thailand — also registered five rebounds, five assists, and two steals in his comeback to the developmental circuit.
“Although two practices pa lang yung mga bagong players sa amin, I feel sila ang nag-carry sa team sa end game namin,” said coach Stevenson Tiu.
Che’Lu-San Sebastian have now arranged a semifinals date against top seed Akari-Adamson Soaring Falcons.
RK Ilagan provided the support to Viernes, with eight of his 10 markers coming in that final uprising, and none bigger than his pair of triples that gave the Revellers a 64-60 lead with 5:34 to play — which was part of a 14-2 blast to grab a 66-60 advantage midway through the fourth frame.
New signees Cedrick Ablaza, who had nine points and 12 rebounds, and Jay-R Taganas, who got five markers and eight boards, also contributed in their debut for Che’Lu-San Sebastian. Samboy de Leon wound up with nine points and six rebounds.
Tiu and his boys now turn their attention to the Falcons, saying, “Siguro we have to work doubly hard kasi disciplined na team yan eh. Walang time na makakapag-relax ka.”
Chris Bitoon led the way for the Coffee Lovers with his 19 points and seven rebounds, while Joshua Fontanilla had 13.
Fil-Am guard Trevis Jackson struggled in his first taste of the playoff, shooting 4-of-12 from the field to tally 11 markers in Gamboa-St. Clare’s exit.
The Scores:
Che’Lu-San Sebastian 80 — Viernes 22, Ilagan 10, Ablaza 9, De Leon 9, Bulanadi 7, Batino 6, Costelo 6, Taganas 5, Collado 4, Faundo 2, Siruma 0.
Gamboa-St. Clare 72 — Bitoon 19, Fontanilla 13, Dionisio 12, Pare 12, Jackson 11, Rubio 5, Decano 0, Hallare 0.
Quarterscores: 16-27, 37-40, 52-56, 80-72.
