Jen Nierva returned to her Premier Volleyball League club team Chery Tiggo more mature and brimming with pride after her international stint with Alas Pilipinas.
The 25-year-old defensive specialist was part of the Philippine women’s national volleyball team pool alongside Dawn Catindig and Justine Jazareno, where she gained not just new skills but also valuable intangibles that contribute to winning.
Nierva played in the 2025 AVC Nations Cup, where the Philippines secured a historic silver medal finish in Vietnam — the country’s best showing ever in a continental tournament.
“I wouldn’t say na it’s easier, I think I would say mas nag-iba ‘yung perspective ‘pag naglalaro,” said the ace libero when asked about what changed after her Alas stint.
“Iba din siguro ‘yung pride na meron ka when you played internationally and now playing locally. I think being part of Alas, we have that pride of now that we’re back playing sa PVL, I think we have to show kung ano ‘yung na-gain namin from our Alas stint and to prove that, you know, we’re doing something good also,” she continued.
(C) PVL Images
Nierva was outstanding on Tuesday night, tallying 19 excellent receptions and 11 excellent digs as Chery Tiggo moved closer to the 2025 PVL Invitational Finals with a commanding 25-17, 25-17, 25-23 win over ZUS Coffee.
The Crossovers improved to 3-1, putting them within reach of a Finals berth, with Japanese guest team Kobe Shinwa University as their last hurdle for a second straight championship appearance.
Armed with the confidence and experience gained from her time with Alas Pilipinas, Nierva now aims to be the glue that holds Chery Tiggo together as they chase their first PVL title since winning the 2021 Open Conference.
“I think ‘yung leadership na meron inside the court… Sabi ko nga, ‘yung team namin, it’s composed of a lot of talented athletes, players, and someone has just to consistently be a leader inside and ignite ‘yung power and capabilities na meron kami,” said the National University product.
“‘Yung teamwork namin, and ‘yung lahat nung skills na meron kami, once na ma-figure out namin kung papaano namin ‘yon iko-connect-connect, I think ‘yun ‘yung magbibigay ng difference sa team namin.”
