Jennifer Nierva took a meticulous approach in preparing for Chery Tiggo’s match against the previously undefeated PLDT in the elimination round of the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
Nierva shared that she crafted a six-page strategy to take on the High Speed Hitters, who were riding a three-game winning streak at the start of the tournament.
“I think, kasi I started my day watching PLDT and I have six pages kung paano sila lalaruin today. I think that’s something new that I did today that really worked. And nakita ko na effective talaga kapag aaralin yung intention mo is to really read the opponent,” said Nierva, the Alas Pilipinas libero.
“Mas madali gumalaw inside the court kapag alam mo or kilala mo at alam mo yung galaw ng kalaban.”
The extensive preparation paid off, as Nierva anchored Chery Tiggo’s defense in their 25-12, 25-23, 20-25, 25-22 victory over PLDT at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday night. Nierva tallied 17 excellent digs and 16 excellent receptions, helping the Crossovers improve to 3-1 and hand the High Speed Hitters their first loss of the tournament.
Delving deeper into her preparation, the National University great revealed that she studied PLDT’s rotations and closely examined the playing tendencies of PLDT star Savannah Davison.
(C) PVL Images
“I actually went through their rotations. Kapag yung tendencies ni (Savi) Davison, ano yung spiking tendencies niya. Though ang dami kong na-miss pa din kasi she’s very aggressive. Hindi mo talaga din mababasa. And then also yung, for example, kapag si (Fiola) Ceballos, it’s like nakita ko kung ano yung gagawin talaga nila inside the court,” the 5-foot-4 libero from Iloilo said.
“And dahil alam ko na siya, ang dali kong i-lead yung mga teammates ko. Also sa passing, yung mga serves ng kalaban namin ng PLDT. Alam ko na kung saan yung percentage na pupunta yung serves nila. So nire-ready ko na agad kung sino yung katabi ko, kung kanina pupunta yung serve. So I think, mas napagaan, mas napadali yung trabaho ng bawat isa.”
In addition to her new strategy, Nierva credited her reunion with former college coach Norman Miguel for much of her success. His insights and guidance were crucial in helping her perform at her best on the court.
“Anlaking tulong ni Coach Norman kasi may kita mo talaga sa mukha niya. Even sa body language na may tiwala siya. And kilala niya na kami kung paano kami maglaro inside the court,” she said.
“So may mga instances kanina na kapag tight yung games, tatawagin niya lang yung name ko and he will just say na, ‘Okay, Jen, lead yung passing.’ And iba yung confidence na nabibigay ni Coach Norman inside the court.”
