Jeff Viernes

Last updated

Jeff Viernes
No. 74–Pampanga Giant Lanterns
Position Point guard
League Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League
Personal information
Born (1989-05-18) May 18, 1989 (age 34)
Isabela, Philippines
NationalityFilipino
Listed height5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) [1]
Listed weight143 lb (65 kg) [1]
Career information
CollegeMetro Manila College (2009)
University of Manila (2009–2013)
St. Claire College–Caloocan (2012–2013)
PBA draft 2013: Undrafted
Playing career2016–present
Career history
As player:
2016 Singapore Slingers
2017 Phoenix Fuel Masters
2017 NS Matrix
2018 Hi-Tech Bangkok City
2018 GlobalPort Batang Pier
2018–2020 Batangas City Athletics
2022–2023 NS Matrix
2023 Sarangani Marlins
2024–present Pampanga Giant Lanterns
As coach:
2022–2023 NS Matrix
2022–2023 Malaysia
Career highlights and awards

Jeff Alvin Dumelod Viernes (born May 18, 1989) is a Filipino professional basketball player and coach. He plays for the Pampanga Giant Lanterns of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).

Contents

Early life

Viernes [2] was born in May 18, 1989, in the province of Isabela. [3] He hails from the town of Delfin Albano. [4] He was inspired to take up basketball after watching Michael Jordan figure for the Chicago Bulls against the Utah Jazz in the Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals. [2]

Playing career

Collegiate career

Viernes started his playing career for Metro Manila College in 2009 [2] before moving to the University of Manila to play for the UM Hawks of the National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (NAASCU). [5] In 2009, Viernes was named Rookie of the Year. [6] In 2011, he was named season MVP. However Viernes moved to St. Claire College in Caloocan the following year after UM's decision to take a leave of absence from the NAASCU. [7] He then suited up for the St. Clare College Saints. [8] He would graduate from St. Clare by 2013. [9]

Amateur career

After graduation, Viernes played for the Boracay Rum Waves in the PBA D-League in 2013. [10] He would enter the November draft for the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) but withdrew. [11] He would return to the D-League and play for Racal Motors (later renamed KeraMix Mixers) [12] [13] [14] He would also play for the Jumbo Plastic Linoleum Giants helping the team win the 2016 PCBL title. [15] [16] The Singapore Slingers would include him in their roster on a trial basis for the 2016 Merlion Cup, potentially signing him for the upcoming 2016–17 ABL season. [17]

Professional career

Phoenix Fuel Masters

Viernes would break into the PBA, joining the Phoenix Fuel Masters in 2017. However his stint was cut short after he took part in a ligang labas . [18] He played under Hobe Macway Travel in the Republica Cup under a pseudonym and without sanction from his PBA club. [19] He was fined and requested his release from the team. [19] He only played one game for Phoenix. [20]

NS Matrix and Hi-Tech Bangkok City

Malaysian club NS Matrix would invite Viernes to play for them in the 2017 Seri Mutiara Cup. [21] [22] He would return to play in the 2018 edition although Matrix failed to progress to the semifinal with Viernes sustaining an injury. [23] He would also ply his trade in Thailand as part of Hi-Tech Bangkok City. [24] [25]

Return to the PBA D-League

After his stint in Thailand, Viernes would return to the Philippines to play for the Che'Lu Bar & Grill Revellers of the PBA D-League. He would aid the team in reaching the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup finals. However he would not take part in the final series against Zark's–Lyceum after he was signed by a PBA team. [26]

GlobalPort Batang Pier

Viernes would return to the PBA after GlobalPort Batang Pier signed him in the lead up to the 2018 PBA Commissioner's Cup which started in April. [20] [26] However he was quickly replaced after featuring in two games after GlobalPort brought in Paolo Javelona to the team in May 8. [27]

Return to Che'Lu

After his brief second PBA stint, Viernes would return to the Revellers. [28] He would lead the team to a runner-up finish in the 2018 PBA D-League Foundation Cup. [29] Despite his team losing to the Go For Gold Scratchers in the final, Viernes was named as conference MVP becoming the first ex-professional to be given the distinction. [28]

MPBL (2018–present)

From 2018 to 2020, Viernes played in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). He played for the Batangas City Athletics at the 2018–19 [30] and the 2019–20 season. During this time, he is already concurrently serving as a coach for the Malaysia national team. [31] He was named as part of Team South for the 2020 Lakan All-Star Game. He was instrumental in Team South's 126-122 win over Team North. He forced the game into overtime and scored the last points for the South via free throw which led to him being named as the All-Star Game MVP. [32] On June 3, 2023, Viernes would score 50 points against the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, breaking the single-game scoring record.

Coaching career

Viernes' stint as coach traces back to his playing time with Malaysian club NS Matrix in 2017. NS Matrix tapped his service the following year in the same tournament. [33] He later became the team's skills coach. He started from being part of the coaching staff of Matrix's second team before rising to the first team. He was part of the Matrix squad which won the 2018 MABA/Matrix Agong Cup. [34] Upon recommendation of NS Matrix, Viernes was made an assistant coach for the Malaysia national team under Australian head coach Brian Lester. The team played at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games where it finished sixth. [33]

Viernes would become the head coach of Malaysia. His coaching debut was at the 2022 FilBasket International Championship, an international club tournament where the team played under the name "Harimau Malaysia". [35] The team won all of its six games in that tournament and defeated fellow Malaysian team Kuala Lumpur Aseel to clinch the title. [33]

His first FIBA stint with Malaysia was at the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup pre-qualifiers in November 2022. [36] He resigned in March 2023. [37]

PBA career statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GSGames started MPG Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage 3P%  3-point field-goal percentage FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game Bold Career high

[38]

Season-by-season averages

YearTeamGPMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2016–17 Phoenix 36.2.750.500.500.01.0.0.02.7
2017–18 NorthPort 311.3.200––.71.0.3.0.7
Career68.8.475.250.250.41.0.2.01.7

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arwind Santos</span> Filipino basketball player

Arwind Anaya Santos is a Filipino professional basketball player who last played for the Pampanga Giant Lanterns of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chot Reyes</span> Filipino basketball coach

Vincent "Chot" P. Reyes is a Filipino basketball coach who is the head coach for the TNT Tropang Giga of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He also served as the head coach for the Philippine national basketball team, where he led the team to a historic silver medal finish at the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship and its subsequent appearance at the 2014 FIBA World Cup; the country's first in 36 years. He also coached the team in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jerwin Gaco</span> Filipino basketball player

Jerwin A. Gaco is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Davao Occidental Tigers of the Pilipinas Super League (PSL). He was an undrafted player in the 2005 PBA draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kiefer Ravena</span> Filipino basketball player (born 1993)

Kiefer Isaac Crisologo Ravena is a Filipino professional basketball player for Shiga Lakes of the B2 League. Ravena played for the Ateneo Blue Eagles of the UAAP during his college days. He plays the point guard position.

Robby Cruz Celiz is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards franchise of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) and the Pilipinas Super League (PSL). He was drafted 17th overall in the 2013 PBA draft by the Tropang Texters. He has played in multiple basketball leagues such as the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL), Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), and Pilipinas Super League (PSL).

Eliud G. Poligrates, also known as Eloy Poligrates, is a Filipino former professional basketball player. He played three years of college basketball for Southwestern University, which ended with his lifetime ban from the CESAFI due to moonlighting in another league. He then played in Liga Pilipinas and the PBA D-League before he was drafted by the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters in the 2013 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) draft. He later played for PBA teams Air21 Express and Kia Carnival. Poligrates found success in his return to the PBA D-League, winning the 2015 Foundation Cup championship with the Cafe France Bakers and the 2019 Foundation Cup Most Valuable Player (MVP) award with Marinerong Pilipino. He also holds the record for the most points scored in a single PBA D-League game, with 67.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">JR Cawaling</span> Filipino basketball player (born 1987)

Ricardo "JR" Cawaling Jr. is a Filipino professional basketball coach and former player who is the head coach for the MisOr Mustangs of the Pilipinas Super League (PSL) and the incoming head coach for the Mindoro Disiplinados of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). He was drafted 30th overall by the San Mig Coffee Mixers in the 2013 PBA draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pilipinas Commercial Basketball League</span>

Pilipinas Commercial Basketball League was a commercial amateur basketball tournament based in the Philippines that catered to the development and grassroots program for future Filipino basketball players, inspired from the MICAA and the Philippine Basketball League (PBL). The league was established by nine commercial teams, some of which have played in the PBA D-League. The chairman of the league was Buddy Encarnado, who was also the board governor representing the Sta. Lucia Realtors during its stint in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

The 2016 PCBL Chairman's Cup was the second and the last conference of the inaugural season of the Pilipinas Commercial Basketball League and the first and the last offering of PCBL for the year 2016. It was opened on March 6, 2016 at the Malolos Sports and Convention Center in Malolos, Bulacan. The PCBL games will be televised on a delayed basis on AksyonTV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mighty Sports</span> Basketball team

Mighty Sports is a basketball team based in the Philippines playing in various domestic tournaments. The team won four championships in the Republica Cup in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kai Sotto</span> Filipino basketball player (born 2002)

Kai Zachary Perlado Sotto is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Yokohama B-Corsairs of the Japanese B.League, playing on loan from the Hiroshima Dragonflies. Listed at 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m) and 232 pounds (105 kg), he plays the center position. He is tied with Raul Dillo as the tallest Filipino professional basketball player ever. Sotto and Dillo are also the second-tallest Filipino men, behind only William Biscocho, who stands at 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m).

Mon Alvin T. Abundo is a Filipino professional basketball player for Quezon Huskers of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). He was Blackwater’s seventh round pick in the 2015 PBA draft, making him one of the lowest-drafted players ever to make it to the PBA.

Raymar A. Jose is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Meralco Bolts of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He was selected 3rd overall by Blackwater Elite in the 2017 PBA draft.

Joshua Eugene Richardson Munzon is a Filipino-American professional basketball player for the NorthPort Batang Pier of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ange Kouame</span> Ivorian-Filipino basketball player

Kakou Ange Franck Williams "Angelo" Kouame is an Ivorian-Filipino basketball player. Kouame played college basketball for the Ateneo Blue Eagles of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), winning 3 championships with Ateneo and the UAAP MVP award in UAAP Season 84. He also represents the Philippines on its national basketball team. He is listed at 6 ft 11 in.

Gabriel Banal is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Quezon Huskers of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). He was drafted 22nd overall pick in the 2nd round of the 2014 PBA Draft. After spending time with the GlobalPort Batang Pier, he played in the PBA D-League, the MPBL and the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 league before returning to the PBA in 2021. He is the son of former basketball player and coach Joel Banal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bay Area Dragons</span> Basketball team based in Hong Kong

The Bay Area Dragons were a professional basketball team in the East Asia Super League. Based in Hong Kong, the team was meant to represent the Greater China region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022–23 PBA season</span> 47th PBA season

The 2022–23 PBA season or PBA Season 47 was the 47th season of the Philippine Basketball Association. For the first time in two seasons, the league returned to its regular three-conference format, starting with the Philippine Cup. The Commissioner's and Governors' Cups were the second and third conferences in this season.

Alvin Pasaol is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Meralco Bolts of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Jordan Timothy Heading is a Filipino basketball player for West Adelaide Bearcats of the NBL1.

References

  1. 1 2 "Jeff Alvin Viernes". 3x3 Play. FIBA. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 Episcope, Aivan Denzel (March 6, 2020). "Nadapa, bumangon, kampeon!" [Stumbled, rose up, became a champion!]. Abante Tonite (in Filipino). Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Viernes heats up on a Thursday as Che'Lu draws first blood". Tiebreaker Times. August 9, 2018. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Hawks claw Titans in NAASCU tiff". The Philippine Star. August 23, 2009. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  5. ↑ Reyes, Marc Anthony (October 5, 2011). "2 Naascu crowns for University of Manila cagers". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  6. ↑ "SSC-Cavite completes mission in 2009 NAASCU caging". GMA News. September 16, 2009. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  7. ↑ Reyes, Marc Anthony (August 2, 2012). "Former UM stars power St. Clare past STI, 70-68". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  8. ↑ "PCCL: Viernes lifts St. Clare to an upset of UE". GMA News. November 6, 2012. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  9. ↑ Payo, Jasmine (July 23, 2013). "'Finals rematch' kicks off Naascu 2013 season". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  10. ↑ Flores, Celest (March 14, 2013). "Viernes, Boracay Rum frustrate Teng, Informatics in OT". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  11. ↑ "PBA draft today". The Freeman. The Philippine Star. November 3, 2013. Retrieved November 4, 2022. Mar Villahermosa and Jeff Viernes withdrew at the last minute
  12. ↑ "Viernes lifts Racal Motors over Jumbo Plastic". ABS-CBN News. December 2, 2014. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  13. ↑ Panerio, Jonas (November 5, 2015). "Viernes powers Jumbo Plastic over Cagayan Valley". Cebu Daily News. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  14. ↑ Terrado, Reuben (March 18, 2015). "Cebuana Lhuillier, two other teams gun for early lead in D-League Foundation Cup". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Jumbo Plastic sumandal kay Viernes para pagharian ang PCBL Chairman's Cup kontra sa Mighty Sports" [Jumbo Plastic leans on Viernes to win the PCBL Chairman’s Cup against Mighty Sports]. Pilipino Star Ngayon (in Filipino). The Philippine Star. May 29, 2016. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  16. ↑ Terrado, Reuben (May 29, 2016). "Two-time PCBL MVP Jeff Viernes chases PBA dream, hopeful his day will come". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  17. ↑ Iau, Jean (September 8, 2016). "Basketball: Singapore Slingers to use Merlion Cup to test potential foreign signing Jeff Viernes". The Straits Times. SPH Media Limited, Co. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  18. ↑ Sacamos, Karlo (April 17, 2017). "Rookie Jeff Viernes hit with sanctions by Phoenix after playing in 'ligang labas' game". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  19. 1 2 Panerio, Jonas (April 17, 2017). "Remorseful Jeff Viernes secures release from Phoenix after 'ligang labas' mess". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  20. 1 2 Lagunzad, Jerome (April 22, 2018). "PBA: Revellers lose Viernes to GlobalPort". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  21. ↑ Lee, Seng Foo (April 14, 2017). "NS Matrix sink Seri Mutiara Cup defending champions". Stadium Astro. Measat Broadcast Network Systems Sdn Bhd. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  22. ↑ Bacnis, Justine (December 6, 2019). "Jeff Viernes already preparing for next stage of career as Malaysia coach". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  23. ↑ "Malaysia Matrix fails to qualify for the semi-finals of the 2018 Seri Mutiara Cup". 2018. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  24. ↑ Terrado, Reuben (April 10, 2018). "Jeff Viernes keeps focus on D-League, mum on PBA plans after return from Thailand league stint". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  25. ↑ Bacnis, Justine (April 10, 2018). "Balikbayan Jeff Viernes brings import mindset to Che'Lu-San Sebastian". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  26. 1 2 Terrado, Reuben (April 25, 2018). "GlobalPort call-up Jeff Viernes a source of inspiration for former Che'Lu-SSC teammates". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  27. ↑ Li, Matthew (June 7, 2018). "Life goes on for Jeff Viernes". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  28. 1 2 Bacnis, Justine (August 21, 2018). "Jeff Viernes becomes first ex-pro to win D-League MVP". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  29. ↑ "PBA D-League: Go For Gold clinches Foundation Cup crown". ESPN.com. August 23, 2018. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  30. ↑ Saldejano, Ivan Stewart (October 31, 2018). "Viernes helps Batangas City prevail over San Juan". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  31. ↑ Tupas, Cedelf (August 22, 2019). "No rest day for Viernes, Batangas standout who doubles as coach of Malaysian club". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  32. ↑ Leongson, Randolph (February 14, 2020). "Jeff Viernes named MVP as South wins in OT in MPBL All-Star game". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  33. 1 2 3 Verora, Levi Joshua Jr. (November 3, 2022). "From uneven career in Manila, Jeff Viernes carves out path to become Malaysia basketball coach". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  34. ↑ Leongson, Randolph (December 6, 2019). "Journeyman Jeff Viernes shares knowledge as part of Malaysia's coaching staff". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  35. ↑ "Malaysian squads take flight, Filipino clubs fall in Filbasket opener". Dugout Philippines. October 25, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  36. ↑ Li, Matthew (November 10, 2022). "FIBA: Thailand spoils Jeff Viernes' Malaysia coaching debut". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  37. ↑ "New coach Kian Ann targets top four finish despite major challenges". The Star. April 6, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023. The men's team have to adapt to a new coach, Yong Kian Ann (pic), who has taken over the reins following the resignation of Jeff Viernes last month.
  38. ↑ Real GM
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.