CHERY Tiggo hit the brakes on PLDT’s unbeaten three-game start to the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
The Crossovers scored win number three with a 25-12, 25-23, 20-25, 25-22 rout of the High Speed Hitters on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
While Cess Robles extended her strong show of form on offense with 17 points, it was Jen Nierva who repelled an oft-reliable PLDT offense with 17 digs and 16 receptions.
The Alas Pilipinas libero’s stellar defense left Savi Davison’s game-high 27 points for naught.
Robles was backed by a trio of double-digit performances by Chery Tiggo mainstays Ara Galang (13 points), Shaya Adorador (11 points) and Pauline Gaston (10 points).
Chery’s floor commander-in-chief
Nierva’s Alas Pilipinas experience, topped by the backing of her former National University-turned-Chery Tiggo head coach Norman Miguel, unleashed a new-and-improved version of the ace defender.
Skills aside, it’s the intangibles she’s keen to build on even further — leadership in particular.
“Ang laking tulong ni coach Norman [Miguel] kasi makikita mo talaga sa mukha niya, even sa body language, na may tiwala siya sa’min and kilala niya na kami kung paano kami maglaro inside the court,” said Nierva.
“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.' Iba yung confidence na nabibigay ni coach Norman inside the court.
“Nakita ko rin ‘yung leadership ng mga teammates ko [sa Alas] and kung gaano sila kasipag, gaano sila ka-dedicated, and kung gaano sila ka-competitive.”
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