Jov Fernandez is no longer just flying under the radar.
On a night that underscored her steady rise, the 24-year-old opposite hitter finally broke out in a big way, spearheading Nxled’s thrilling straight-sets win over Galeries Tower, 26-24, 25-23, 25-23, to fuel the Chameleons' franchise-best 3-0 start in the 2025 PVL On Tour.
Fernandez fired 14 points, with 13 coming off her signature crosscourt blasts and quick transitions, anchoring a gritty Nxled squad that is quickly turning heads under the guidance of Italian coach Ettore Guidetti. With the win, Nxled shares the top spot in Pool A alongside powerhouse PLDT — an early statement of intent from a team that many had once overlooked.
“Inuumpisahan po talaga namin sa training lagi. Siguro hard work and then nag-pay off, pag nanalo bonus po talaga sa amin,” said Fernandez, beaming after the win at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
It wasn’t long ago that Fernandez found herself on the fringes of the rotation at Cignal, where she spent two full seasons trying to break into a loaded lineup. Despite flashes of brilliance, consistent playing time was hard to come by, and opportunities felt like a distant promise.
But this offseason, Nxled made a quiet yet calculated move, scooping up the former UAAP Best Opposite Spiker from Far Eastern University. There were no headlines, no grand announcements — just a fresh start and a new system waiting to be embraced.
And like any major transition, it came with its share of challenges.
“Siyempre po sa una, medyo nahihirapan ako kasi si Coach Etorre [Guidetti], he’s an Italian coach. And andiyan din naman ‘yung mga ibang coaches and mga Ates ko para tulungan ako para mag-adjust,” she shared.
Fernandez admitted she initially struggled to adapt to Guidetti’s demanding, detail-oriented European style — a stark contrast from what she was used to. But instead of retreating, she leaned in. Day after day, she worked through the drills, took in the film sessions, and absorbed feedback from seasoned teammates who welcomed her with open arms.
Now, she’s beginning to flourish.
In her first three matches, Fernandez is averaging 12.33 points, emerging not just as a reliable scorer but as a steadying presence in clutch moments. Her composure at the net has helped Nxled close out tight sets — the kind of intangible presence every team needs when the pressure mounts.
“Ako lagi kong sinasabi sa mga teammates ko na lagi natin tiyagain, patience lang hanggang sa makuha natin and sabi ko, dapat hard work lang lagi,” said Fernandez.
