For Jeff Viernes, an old foe of the Che’lu Bar and Grill Revellers got the best of them on Monday night: complacency.
Viernes lamented as much after his Revellers failed to sweep their way towards the 2018 PBA D-League Foundation Cup Finals as they lost a close one to the Scorpions, 78-83, in Game Two of the best-of-three series.
“Meron talaga kaming complacency na naman. Slow start kami ngayon eh,” said Viernes, who had 25 points in the loss.
Because of their recurring problem, the Revellers saw themselves down 11 early in the final frame. But they were able to shake it off when Viernes and his fellow veterans turned on the jets for a 12-0 blitz to take an 68-67 lead with 3:29 left.
However, Rich Guinitaran happened – and the 19-year-old forward dealt the biggest of blows to keep his CEU alive.
“Siguro may factor din ‘yung ibang mga kasamahan namin napagod din,” pointed out Viernes, as they only had a day to recover. “Pero ganun talaga, basketball ‘yan eh. Minsan talagang ‘di mo naman masasabi na every game mananalo ka.”
But aside from complacency and fatigue, Viernes also rued that Che’lu had lost focus, saying that they got too carried away with the way the referees blew their whistle – an assistant coach of theirs was booted out for two technicals.
Che’lu also lost because of the huge free throw disparity.
“Medyo nagpa-apekto rin kami masyado sa mga calls,” admitted the undrafted player from the 2013 Draft. “Ang daming binigay na free throws. 27 out of 35, compared to 15-to-22. So 12 points difference sa free throw. Ang laking bagay nun sa close game na ganito.
“Pero wala kaming ibang bineblame kundi mga sarili namin.”
Game Three is set for Tuesday next week. , With more breathing room for both teams, Viernes said that it’s an opportune time for him and the Revellers to regroup, as they aim to make the Finals for the second straight conference.
“Babalik kami sa Sabado. Magrereview kami kung bakit kami natalo ngayon. Magaadjust kami. Kailangan rin namin ngayon yung focus namin, kanina talaga nawala rin kami sa focus eh,” expressed the 28-year-old guard.
“Siguro number one yun yung mindset talaga mamin is pagpunta namin dito, nakamindset kami na wala kaming ibang gagawin kundi maglaro lang at manalo.”
