Sans top scorer Viernes, Che’Lu stays upbeat ahead of D-League Finals

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

Che’Lu Bar and Grill-San Sebastian will miss one of its key cogs ahead of the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Finals after Jeff Viernes was called up by GlobalPort.

Revellers coach Stevenson Tiu said that his side has been scampering in trying to find ways to soften the blow after losing the team’s top scorer.

“We’re forced to change our game plan,” he said.

Viernes was signed by Che’Lu-San Sebastian for the playoffs and was a big reason for the team’s run to the finals. He averaged 18.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 2.0 steals in 29 minutes to play in three games.

However, his reunion with Tiu was cut short after the Batang Pier activated him for the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Viernes went scoreless in 11 minutes in his GlobalPort debut on Sunday, where the Batang Pier fell to TNT, 114-128.

Tiu, though, remains positive with his team’s chances with Michael Calisaan, Samboy de Leon, and Cedrick Ablaza expected to pick up the slack in the absence of Viernes.

“I’m still optimistic. Our determination to win will cary us through,” he said.

Game 1 of the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Finals between Che’Lu-San Sebastian and Zark’s Burger-Lyceum is on Tuesday, 4 p.m., at Pasig Sports Center.