MYLENE Paat will miss a few matches for Chery Tiggo in the forthcoming 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference semifinals ahead of her participation in the 2024 Korean V-League (KOVO) Women's Asian Quarter Tryouts.
The 2022 PVL Reinforced Conference MVP joined a trifecta of league stars who’ll be testing their luck in the Korean pro league’s annual player draft for Asian imports.
READ: Chery Tiggo turns back Galeries Tower, completes semis cast
Before the draft proper, a three-day tryout event will take place from Apr. 29 to May 1 — coinciding with the opening day of PVL semis action on Apr. 30.
Paat confirmed her bid to join what could be her second overseas stint following a triumphant stint in the 2021-22 Thailand League where she earned the tournament’s best scorer nod.
But this time around, Paat admitted to tempering her draft expectations and shared how her goal mainly revolves around gaining international exposure to further sharpen her craft.
Although no specific timeframe was disclosed in terms of her expected absence from Chery Tiggo in the semis, Paat is confident that the Crossovers’ vast array of wing spikers will step up to the plate.
“‘Yung pag-tryout ko sa Korea, I’m not expecting na matanggap ako. It’s part of my exposure, experience na rin. I’m so thankful naman kay Coach Kungfu (Reyes) and sa management namin na Chery (Tiggo) ay fully supportive naman sila sa pagta-tryout ko,” Paat said.
“Siguro may mga ma-mimiss man ako dito sa semis but then I’m pretty sure na ready ‘yung ibang teammates ko kung sakaling ipasok sila,” he added.
Backed up and ready to go
Chery Tiggo head coach Kungfu Reyes, who was fully supportive of Paat’s career plans, isn’t worried about an expected attacking void as more than a few Crossovers are equipped and ready to go full throttle when the call of duty arrives.
“Ang dami naming wing spikers. Lahat naman ‘yan, trainable, adjustable. Basta may ta-tao diyan. Don’t panic, it’s organic. Kami na bahala doon. “Though may konting (void sa absence ni) Mylene (Paat), it doesn’t mean na mawawala ‘yung kapalitan niya. Andiyan naman, ready naman. I think meron kaming lima o anim pang wing (spikers), which is ‘yun namak best nila dati,” Reyes said.
And although a handful of players can take up her spot, ranging from the likes of ace spikers Eya Laure, EJ Laure, Ara Galang, Cess Robles and Shaya Adorador, Reyes made one thing clear moving forward — Paat remains irreplaceable.
“‘Yung Mylene Paat, ‘di namin pwedeng palitan ‘yun, Mylene Paat ‘yun eh. Pero ‘yung posisyon itself, ‘yun ang importante — kung paano mag-step up at paano magpe-prepare as a player. “Kami, naka-ready na kami sa part ng coaches. All we need to do is execute every training, adjustment after adjustment. ‘Yun lang gagawin namin.”
Joining Paat in the three-day tryouts are Creamline ace spiker Tots Carlos and Petro Gazz middle blocker MJ Phillips, who just finished her maiden overseas stint in Korea last season for cellar-dwelling Gwangju AI Peppers that drafter her fifth overall in last year's draft.
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