Chery Tiggo's star libero Jen Nierva had the perfect counter to PLDT's high-octane offense led by Savi Davison.
Call it the Jen Nierva masterclass.
The 25-year-old libero was front and center in the Chery Tiggo Crossovers’ four-set win over the PLDT High Speed Hitters, 25-12, 25-23, 20-25, 25-22, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao on Tuesday, December 3.
The reason behind the Crossover’s victory? Nierva’s six-page plan on the High Speed Hitters’ tendencies, including those of Savi Davison and the other spikers.
“Nag-take down notes ako. I actually had six or eight pages ng tendencies nila, kung ano ‘yung mga ginagalaw nila inside the court,” Nierva told One Sports.
“Hindi siya mahirap, though, kasi siyempre mag-a-adjust at mag-a-adjust ‘yung kalaban but knowing their tendencies, their capabilities, knowing who the players are, once you step inside the court, it will be a really big help to move also as a libero, mas madaling magbasa,” she added.
But what made Nierva create her tendencies report on PLDT? Well, it starts with wanting to become better following her Alas Pilipinas stint.
“Kasi every day I’m thinking of something that will help me become a better athlete, a better person, though siyempre hindi laging ganun,” said Nierva. “May mga days na tamad tayo, hindi natin nafi-feel na motivated but then today parang ni-remind ko sarili ko kung nasaan na ba ako. “
“I’ve played for the national team. I think nandun na ‘yung standard na dapat hindi ko hahayaan na alam mo ‘yun, maglaro lang, manalo o matalo, okay na ‘yun. Hindi, dapat I have to take it as my last game ganun,” she added.
Nierva had also come off an undisclosed injury which forced her to miss the Crossovers’ first game in the conference.
That’s why she’s working double-time to get back into tip-top shape.
“I really need to make extra effort, extend ‘yung meron akong skills kasi kakabalik ko lang din sa court and it’s really hard to adjust din sa body pero hindi dapat excuse ‘yun eh, so I think mas ginamit ko brain cells ko today more than my skills,” said Nierva.
Expect Nierva to make another tendencies report in Chery Tiggo’s next match which will be against the Akari Chargers on December 10 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.