After witnessing Jennifer Nierva’s defensive masterclass against F2 Logistics on Saturday night, Chery Tiggo deputy coach Kungfu Reyes now has a clearer understanding of why UST failed to overcome NUNS in the high school ranks.
Nierva, one of the core pieces of the Lady Bullpups dynasty in UAAP Girls’ Volleyball, put up her best performance yet in a Crossovers uniform and registered 27 excellent digs and 21 excellent receptions in the semis-clinching win against the Cargo Movers.
Long-time UST Growling Tigresses mentor Reyes has witnessed the Junior Tigresses fall prey to NUNS from time to time in the high school division.
And now, he fully understands why.
“So ngayon alam ko na yung sagot kung bakit hindi namin sila kaya talunin nung high school,” said Reyes, who is now teamed up with former Lady Bullpups stars Nierva, Cess Robles, and Joyme Cagande in the pros.
“Masarap kakampi, pero nakakainis kalaban ‘tong mga ‘to. Yung one thing na lagi naming pinag-uusapan, sabi ko nga gusto naming buoin yung grupo na yun eh. Kasi nga for how many years, six years, four years, na kami yung bridesmaid nila,” he added.
“Pero something to be proud yun. Hindi biro. Now I know kung bakit ganun yung nagiging trend. Meron kami neto (Eya Laure), pero sila ang dami nilang matitibay talaga.”
Reyes praised Nierva for answering his call and delivering when it mattered the most for Chery Tiggo, who was once again faced with a 1-2 deficit only to mount a big comeback in the end.
“Again, nakakainis kalaban pero ang sarap kakampi. Hats off kay Jen na tinake over niya yung trabaho from O line to D line. Since medyo off yung laro ni Buding (Duremdes), that’s why nandito (siya),” said Reyes.
Nierva, for her part, said that she just wants to repay the support and trust showered on her by the coaching staff and her teammates.
The former UAAP Best Libero also bared that it was the team’s faith in her that allowed her to power through against the Cargo Movers.
“Ano po, talagang pinapahalagahan ko lang yung bawat segundo, minuto na binibigay sakin ng coaches and I always make sure na naibabalik ko yung tiwala na binibigay nila sakin. Kasi, nakita ko ngayong PVL na parang sabi ko, eto na yung time na hindi ko dapat tignan lang yung sarili ko pero yung buong team,” said Nierva.
“Nakita ko rin yung tiwala talaga ng bawat isa. Kapag lalabas ako, sasabihin ng mga teammates ko ‘kunin mo na lahat ng receive’ alam mo yun, yung simpleng ganun parang tiwala sila na kapag ako yung rumeceive, maganda yung ipapasa ko,” the former UAAP Best Libero continued.
“So parang wala talagang room for doubts and hesitations kaya every time na ipapasok ako ni Coach Kungfu (Reyes) or kung sino ‘mang coaches yung magsasabi sakin or teammates ko, talagang okay ibibigay ko yung best ko.”
