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MPBL: All-star game or not, Jeff Viernes keeps competitive fire burning

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="media-content"><div class="slider-for"><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/sports/02/14/20160414-jeff-viernes-1.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/sports/02/14/20160414-jeff-viernes-2.jpg"/></div></div><div class="media-content slider-desc"><div class="item-desc"><p>Batangas-Tanduay guard and MPBL all-star game MVP Jeff Viernes refuses to slack off when he is on the basketball court. <cite>Handout</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Batangas-Tanduay guard and MPBL all-star game MVP Jeff Viernes refuses to slack off when he is on the basketball court. <cite>Handout</cite></p></div></div></div><p>For most players, an all-star game is an avenue to take a break from being competitive and build a bond between the league’s best players.</p><p>But that isn’t the case for Batangas-Tanduay’s Jeff Viernes.</p><p>“Sabi ko nga, mental focus ko every time na naglalaro ako, all-star man ’yan o every game, tini-treat ko siya the same. I&#x27;m a very competitive player. Ginagawa ko lang lahat, ’yung best ko,” Viernes revealed.</p><p>And Viernes’ fierce approach to the game showed when his South all-star squad was on the brink of defeat against the North side in the 2019-20 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan Cup All-Star game at MoA Arena Thursday.</p><p>Down by six points with 3:15 remaining in regulation, the pint-sized guard from Isabela pumped in 12 of the South’s last 15 points, including two crucial free throws, which sent the game to overtime.</p><p>Viernes then conspired with Gab Banal to open the extra period with a 10-0 barrage to give the South a comfortable 122-112 advantage with 3:19 ticks left.</p><p>Though the North side’s Renato Ular, Michael Juico, Aris Dionisio, and Jeric Teng were able to answer with 10-0 blast and knot the score at 122-all, Viernes, a product of Saint Clare, sank 4-of-4 free throws in the final 25 seconds to seal the victory.</p><p>“Siyempre nandoon pa rin ’yung we’re having fun kasi all-star pa rin ’yun. Pero syempre may sari-sarili kaming pride pa rin. Kahit sabihin mong all-star, gusto naming ibigay namin ang best namin at bigyan ng magandang show ’yung fans,” shared Viernes, who also pocketed P50,000 courtesy of Sen. Manny Pacquiao for his efforts.</p><p>“I think nagawa naman namin both, nag-enjoy kami at nabigyan namin ’yung fans ng sobrang gandang laban, very intense. Siguro wala na kaming hihilingin pa, nakuha namin yung panalo. Very fortunate lang and we&#x27;re very thankful.”</p><p>When the dust settled, Viernes collected 28 points, six assists, and six rebounds and took home his second consecutive all-star game most valuable player award.</p><p>“ ’Yung back-to-back MVP, bonus na lang din,” said Viernes. “Nag-usap usap kami sa dugout and we all want to win. I think kaya din maganda ang chemistry namin kahit second time kami magkakasama, ’yung una all-star last year. Maganda. Happy kami.&quot;</p><p>South head coach Don Dulay could not agree.</p><p>“One thing I noticed, we had a lot more fun on the bench. Everybody on the bench, the whole second half, we&#x27;re cheering who’s on the court,” Dulay said.</p><p>For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.</p>

<p>Batangas-Tanduay guard and MPBL all-star game MVP Jeff Viernes refuses to slack off when he is on the basketball court.</p>

Batangas-Tanduay guard and MPBL all-star game MVP Jeff Viernes refuses to slack off when he is on the basketball court.