Former Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraw Jovelyn Fernandez is fired up to play with her desired team, Cignal HD Spikers, under the watch of former Lady Tams head coach Shaq Delos Santos for the upcoming season of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).

“Maliban sa mga coaches and ate ko, Cignal is one of my dream team talaga in pro league. Sobrang grateful ako na lumapit ulit sa ‘kin ang Cignal kaya ‘di na ako nagdalawang isip na ‘di pumunta talaga sa kanila (Except for my coaches and sister, Cignal is one of my dream teams in pro league. I'm so grateful that Cignal came to me again so I didn't think twice about not actually going to them),” she stated in an online interview with FEU Advocate.

The Cignal HD Spikers released the announcement the day before Fernandez’ birthday last Wednesday, January 5.

Fernandez is now set to play alongside fellow FEU alumni recent PVL All-Filipino Conference Best Setter Gel Cayuna, Toni Rose Basas, Geneveve Casugod, Gazelle Sy, and Queen Tamaraw Rachel Anne Daquis.

After playing a single-season stint for the recently disbanded F2 Logistics Cargo Movers, Fernandez was the second Cargo Mover to sign to the HD Spikers after Dawn Catindig-Macandili. 

Before going pro, the former Morayta-based main scorer won the Best Opposite Hitter award last UAAP Season 85, overcoming the promising tall spiker Alyssa Solomon from National University which boosted the number of pro league offers.

However, Fernandez did not have the opportunity to showcase her full potential in playing for F2 as she played limited minutes.

She also added that her teammates will be a huge help for her adjustment as she already knows almost everyone in the team.

“I think kaya ko naman mag-adjust when it comes to teammates, coaching styles, and team dynamics. Sa teammates, nakasama ko na ‘yung iba and halos lahat sa kanila kakilala ko na. Kaya feel ko ‘di ako mahihirapan joining a new team kasi I know na they will guide me (I think I can adjust when it comes to teammates, coaching styles, and team dynamics. As for the teammates, I have already been with the others and I know almost all of them. That's why I feel that I won't have any difficulties joining a new team because I know that they will guide me),” she added.

The former green-and-gold spiker will help the veteran Jovelyn Gonzaga in developing the opposite position of the HD Spikers. 

While the Cignal HD Spikers welcome two new volleybelles, three players bid farewell to the team including Angela Nunag, Bia General, and FEU Alum Jerrili Malabanan. 

-Leiniel A. Santos

(Photo courtesy of Cignal HD Spikers Facebook Page)