As her UAAP career came to a close, Jennifer Nierva shared that she wants to be remembered by the National University community as a player with a ‘champion attitude.’
Nierva’s four-year UAAP career met a heartbreaking end on Sunday night after the Lady Bulldogs collapsed in five sets against De La Salle University, 25-18, 22-25, 25-22, 21-25, 15-13, in Game Two of the Season 85 finale at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“I think yung champion attitude,” said an emotional Nierva when asked about the legacy that she wants to leave at NU.
Nierva said that she remains proud of how the Lady Bulldogs rose through adversity all season long despite encountering a few bumps along the way.
NU, who swept the previous season, suffered three losses during the elimination phase, including back-to-back losses to La Salle, en route to an 11-3 record – good for second place.
“We’ve been through so much this season. Ang daming ups and downs compared to last season na talagang paangat lang kami. Dito talagang sobrang baba, tapos unti-unti paakyat. Mas nakilala ko yung team and I am so proud kasi hindi sila quitters,” said Nierva.
“It is more than just winning the championship, it is about yung relationship na na-build namin together and at the same time, kung paano rin kami umangat sa pagkakatalo namin nung start ng season.”
Nierva started her collegiate career in Season 81 when the Lady Bulldogs failed to make it to the Final Four after winning only four games out of 14 before helping NU achieve a strong start in Season 82, but the season was scrapped due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 23-year-old defensive ace then captained the Lady Bulldogs’ historic run in Season 84 where they swept their way to the UAAP title, ending a 65-year title drought.
“Nung first year ako, yung memories ko lagi akong umiiyak kasi lagi kaming talo,” recalled Nierva. “Di ko matanggap kasi very competitive ako and achiever ako. Yung second year, na-cut yung season. Magandang start for us yun eh, pero di natuloy.
“Now, last season, pumasok yung mga bata, which yun yung way na parang matutupad na yung pangarap ko. Yun na yun eh, nung pumasok sila, sabi ko ito na yun. Ito na yung opportunity namin na magawa ulit yung legacy namin nung high school. Yun nangyari, nag-champion kami,” she continued.
Though the team failed to retain the crown this season, Nierva is still at ease knowing that she will leave her beloved school – where she spent the past 12 years of her life – in good hands.
“Though we fell short this season, I know deep inside my heart we are still champions. I know babalik at babalik kami, sila na sa pagiging champion kasi ang dami ko napagdaanan before kasama sila and nakita ko kung paano sila, paano kami yung team namin kapag natatalo kami and hindi namin hinahayaan na naapakan kami,” the Season 84 Best Libero said.
“Alam ko, yung mga bata ngayon naiisip na nila kung ano yung gagawin nila next season para hindi na nila maramdaman yung naramdaman nila ngayon. I think yung character na meron yung isang NU na talagang vinavalue yung hard work and relationship ng bawat isa.”
