MANILA, Philippines – A winner for much of her budding volleyball career, rising libero Jen Nierva found herself suddenly on the losing end one fateful December day last year, as the Chery Tiggo Crossovers closed up shop after more than a decade in the Filipino club volleyball scene.

As expected, however, from a young star of her caliber, the former National University champion defender quickly made a new home in the PVL, as she traded her shade of Chery red for bright pink with the mighty Creamline Cool Smashers.

The move couldn’t have come at a better time for Nierva, as she now transitions from having the likes of Aby Maraño and Ara Galang as mentors to now being under the likes of Alyssa Valdez, Jia de Guzman, and Michele Gumabao — local volleyball legends all.

Fully aware of her unique career path, Nierva is nothing but grateful for how the stars aligned in her life, morphing a shocking eviction to another transformative career move.

“I said, the Lord’s plans are awesome, in that He lined all of this for my career, as if to say, ‘Go through all the great ones,'” she said in Filipino. “You have to learn from them because there’s no other way to improve and get better than being with the best.”

“Every day, I treasure it, even when I was still with Tyang [Aby], Ate Ara. Different work ethics, different attitudes, different outlooks,” she continued. “I just try to grasp all I can from them. Really grateful, and I cherish it all.”

What Nierva’s move means for Creamline

As multi-time champion libero Kyla Atienza reportedly nurses an elbow injury ahead of the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference, Nierva is expected to slot right into her spot as the starting floor defender, while young Alleiah Torres and the iconic Denden Lazaro-Revilla back her up.

Though her highly-anticipated Creamline debut did not go as planned — as mighty PLDT handed the near-complete Cool Smashers a shocking sweep to open the conference — Nierva is still expected to bring her Alas Pilipinas national team-level chops into the fray sooner than later.

Take it from Nierva herself, who now endures the intensity of having to train with a Creamline core brimming with former PVL MVPs — all expecting the same MVP-level effort and accountability from the rest of the Cool Smashers.

“I still need to work on my consistency, given the high level of practices we have. Imagine having to deal with spikes from Tots [Carlos], Jema [Galanza], [Bernadeth] Pons, then serves from Ate Alyssa,” Nierva continued.

“Skill-wise, I still have to get better on my reading, my ball control. All the seemingly easy or little things, it’s important for us and we all have to get it.”

Having already lost a home so early in her pro volleyball career, Nierva would be remiss to not take this fresh, golden opportunity for granted, not just because it’s with a dynasty like Creamline, but simply out of respect for all those who came before her, and all those who now rely on her.

“I have an opportunity to play among the best in our country. Sometimes in training I’m thinking, ‘Who would’ve thought I’d be playing with Ate Jia, Ate Alyssa, Ate MG [Gumabao], and Ate Denden, whom I was just watching on TV years ago,’” Nierva said.

“Their work ethic is just different even though they’re all already good, and I’m inspired to do the same.” – Rappler.com

Jen Nierva cherishes career pivot as Creamline calls