Mylene Paat stands poised on the precipice of a remarkable opportunity.
As the 2024 KOVO Women's Asian Quota Draft beckons, Chery Tiggo's anticipation brims with pride at the prospect of seeing their ace spiker shine on an international stage.
Paat prepares to embark on another shot at securing her place in South Korea's V-League.
Undeterred by last year's setback, she gears up for the tryouts slated from April 29 to May 1, fueled by an unyielding determination to carve her name into the annals of Asian volleyball glory.
Joined by fellow luminaries such as Creamline's Tots Carlos and Petro Gazz's formidable middle blocker MJ Phillips, Paat finds herself among the elite 36-woman pool unveiled by the Korean Volleyball Federation (KOVO) in a recent announcement.
For Chery Tiggo's head coach, Kungfu Reyes, the prospect of Paat's overseas venture elicits a swell of national pride.
"Qualified naman sila. It's an additional feather in their cap. It's national pride," Reyes remarked.
Amidst the anticipation, uncertainty lingers regarding Paat's departure.
"So far, wala pa naman kaming napaguusapan… Wala pang sinasabi sa amin si Mylene, pero masaya kami kung ano man ang magiging desisyon niya," Reyes shares.
Should Paat secure her spot in the draft, it wouldn't mark her maiden voyage onto the international stage.
The 30-year-old native of Bani, Pangasinan, boasts a stint in Thailand, where her brilliance illuminated the courts of the Volleyball Thailand League in 2022.
With Nakhon Ratchasima, Paat ascended to the pinnacle of her craft, clinching the coveted title of the tournament’s Best Scorer while steering her team to a commendable third-place finish.
As the countdown to the tryouts commences, all eyes turn to the Jeju Halla Gymnasium and Sun Hotel.
Yet, the path to glory presents a bittersweet dilemma for Paat, Carlos, and Phillips, as their quest for international acclaim threatens to intersect with their obligations in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
With the specter of semifinal action looming on April 30, Tuesday, the trio faces the prospect of balancing two worlds in pursuit of their aspirations.
