Chen Tagaod is ready to write the next chapter of her volleyball journey—this time on the professional stage.
The Far Eastern University standout has officially declared for the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Draft, a bold move that marks both the culmination of a storied collegiate career and the beginning of a new pursuit: to give back to her family and embrace growth beyond her comfort zone.
“Isa sa pinaka-reason talaga kung bakit gusto kong magpa-draft din ay para makatulong ako sa family ko. Gusto ko ring lumabas sa comfort zone ko, which is FEU,” Tagaod shared candidly, her voice steady with resolve.
Standing at 5-foot-8, the outside hitter from the University of San Jose-Recoletos found her home in Morayta during UAAP Season 84 and quickly became a vital piece of the Lady Tamaraws' offense. With her fearless attacks and unwavering hustle, she helped steer the team to back-to-back Final Four appearances—rekindling the once-dormant competitive fire of FEU’s volleyball program.
But now, she's ready to step away from the familiar halls of FEU and into the wider world of the PVL.
“Parang naiisip ko, ‘Ano kaya ako kung wala na ako dito?’ Sobrang thankful ako sa FEU talaga, kasi wala kang masabi—FEU is FEU. Gusto kong mag-move forward at mas matuto pa nang wala ako sa comfort zone ko,” she added, acknowledging how much the university molded her but also expressing a desire to grow beyond it.
The PVL offers more than just an elevated level of play—it presents a stage shared with the very best in the country: veterans with years of experience, champions with unmatched discipline, and rising stars with whom she’ll now battle side by side or across the net.
"For me, importanteng bagay ito at nilu-look forward ko na mas marami pa akong matutunan, lalo na sa PVL kasi maraming beteranong maglalaro,” she said. “Excited ako na mas matuto pa, at siyempre, makapag-contribute gamit ang mga natutunan ko sa FEU.”
Tagaod carries not just her skills, but the lessons forged through countless five-set thrillers, heartbreaking defeats, and memorable wins under the green and gold. Her time with the Lady Tamaraws has shaped her identity as a player—and more importantly, as a teammate.
And even as she takes this leap into the unknown, her heart remains tied to the program that raised her. She believes in the squad she's leaving behind and sees only brighter days ahead for FEU volleyball, especially with the guidance of head coach Tina Salak, affectionately known to many as “Coach T.”
"For me, sobrang tiwala ako lalo na sa mga bata, kasi nga alam ko na pagpasok nila, sobrang ayos ng team—lalo na pagpasok ni Coach T. So ayun, sobrang laki ng tiwala ko. Baka next year makuha nila sa finals."
