Creamline taps Nierva as recruitment spree intensifies

Creamline joined the frantic recruitment fray after bringing in top libero Jen Nierva to its fold ahead of the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference kicking off this month.

After releasing some of their veterans, the Cool Smashers added another defensive specialist to solidify their floor defense.

“A new volleybelle is stepping into the pink. At 166 centimeters, a battle-tested libero who plays with heart, grit and control. A champion mindset. A steady presence on the court,” Creamline posted on its social media account to formally announce Nierva’s signing on Friday.

Nierva found a new home after the disbandment of her former club, Chery Tiggo, last month.

A member of Alas Pilipinas, Nierva deepened the Cool Smashers’ libero roster already boasting of former national team standouts Kyla Atienza and Denden Lazaro-Revilla.

The Sherwin Meneses-mentored squad also added decorated former men’s national team winger Mark Alfafara to its coaching staff.

Creamline, looking for redemption after a title-less campaign last year following a grand slam in 2024, earlier parted ways with Pau Soriano, Rizza Mandapat, Michelle Morente and seasoned setter Rhea Dimaculangan-Villarete.

Villarete announced her retirement on Thursday, putting an end to a storied volleyball career dating back to her high school days.

“Closing this chapter is bittersweet, but it will forever be truly special. Volleyball will always be a part of me and so will everyone who shared this journey with me,” Dimaculangan penned in a heartfelt message on her Instagram.

Meanwhile, Strong Group Athletics (SGA) continued its signing spree but this time inked a deal with champion Japanese coach Koji Tsuzurabara and Kungfu Reyes as deputy.

SGA, the mother company of Farm Fresh and ZUS Coffee, has yet to formally announce where Tsuzurabara, who steered Petro Gazz to a breakthrough 2025 AFC crown before parting ways midway into pre-season On Tour, and Reyes will be stationed.

However, the Foxies require a new tactician after sacking Italian coach Alessandro Lodi following a shocking exit in the quarterfinals of the Reinforced Conference despite being the top seed.

On the other hand, Galeries Tower made a major revamp, retaining only four players from its roster.

Setter Julia Coronel, Roselle Baliton, Jean Asis and Winnie Bedana were the only High Risers to re-sign with the franchise, who also bid goodbye to head coach Godfrey Okumu.

Galeries Tower took in Julia Angeles from ZUS Coffee and signed decorated mentors Clarence Esteban and Rommel Abella to hold the reins.

Esteban is a long-time assistant coach for Chery Tiggo , while Abella led the disbanded Pocari Sweat to three straight titles, ruling the 2016 Shakey’s V-League Open and Reinforced conferences, and becoming the first-ever Reinforced champion when the league rebranded into the PVL.

Galeries Tower let go of Dodee Batindaan, Juliet Catindig, Fen Emnas, Carly Hernandez, Ysa Jimenez, Andrea Marzan, Dimdim Pacres, Audrey Paran, Franz Ronquillo, Lia Pelaga, Ivy Perez, Marian Andal and Shannen Palec.

Jimenez and Ronquillo transferred to Capital1 while Perez joined Cignal.