Viernes, Revellers thwart Scratchers, force ‘rubber’

MANILA, Philippines — Che’Lu Bar and Grill drew motivation from its past finals heartbreak as it foiled Go for Gold, 88-81, to force a rubber match for the PBA D-League Foundation Cup crown at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig yesterday.

MVP Jeff Viernes rode the bench halfway in the third period after hurting his left knee but returned in the fourth quarter, dropping eight of his 18 points to power the Revellers to seven-point victory that leveled their best-of-five series at two games a piece.

The sudden death is set tomorrow at 5 p.m. at the same venue.

Che’Lu Bar and Grill prevailed in Game One, 100-96, but dropped the next two, 81-105 and 96-98, before getting the extra drive from their finals meltdown last conference to stay alive.

“I challenged them. This happened to us last conference, do you still want to become runners-up? I guess everybody accepted the challenge,” said Che’Lu Bar coach Stevenson Tiu.

The Revellers held on to a two-point lead, 67-65, entering the fourth but Viernes, who hobbled to the bench at the 5:28 mark of the third following a bad fall, quickly got back to work and teamed up with Jay-R Taganas and Jayson Melano to stretch their lead to eight, 75-67, midway in the last quarter.

Stephen Siruma drilled in a triple to make it an 80-71 count then Viernes and Taganas came through with their own baskets to sustain their charge and seal the win for the Revellers.