[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.
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.
[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.
[18] He played under Hobe Macway Travel in the Republica Cup under a pseudonym and without sanction from his PBA club.
[20] 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.
[24][25] 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.
[20][26] However he was quickly replaced after featuring in two games after GlobalPort brought in Paolo Javelona to the team in May 8.
[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.
Viernes' stint as coach traces back to his playing time with Malaysian club NS Matrix in 2017.