Jennifer Nierva, formerly a key player in the Lady Bullpups dynasty in UAAP Girls’ Volleyball, exhibited her exceptional abilities while wearing the Crossovers uniform. Kungfu Reyes, the deputy coach of Chery Tiggo, who had previously grappled with Nierva's formidable defense in high school, now possesses a deep understanding of the challenges UST faced against NUNS.
In the crucial semi-finals clash against F2 Logistics, Nierva delivered an outstanding performance, tallying an impressive 27 excellent digs and 21 excellent receptions. These statistics underscored her pivotal role in securing the victory that propelled Chery Tiggo to the finals.
For Reyes, a seasoned mentor with the UST Growling Tigresses, the memories of the Junior Tigresses struggling against NUNS in high school now make sense. Collaborating with former Lady Bullpups stars Nierva, Cess Robles, and Joyme Cagande in the professional arena, Reyes reflects on the perennial challenge posed by their high school rivals.
“It's great to have them as teammates, but they can be frustrating opponents," admitted Reyes. "Now I understand why they've been dominating. We have [Eya] Laure, but they have a lot of strong players."
Reyes commended Nierva for stepping up when it mattered most, particularly in the face of a 1-2 deficit. “Again, frustrating opponents, but it's delightful to have them as teammates. Hats off to Jen for taking over the job from the offensive line to the defensive line," remarked Reyes, acknowledging Nierva's versatility and adaptability.
Nierva, ever humble in her success, expressed gratitude for the support and trust bestowed upon her by the coaching staff and teammates. As the former UAAP Best Libero, she emphasized the importance of reciprocating the faith placed in her.
“In the PVL, I realized that this is the time not just to focus on myself but on the whole team," Nierva shared. "There's no room for doubts and hesitations, so every time Coach Kungfu or any coach or teammate tells me to go in, I'll give my best.”
