In the midst of the intense battles of the 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, Mylene Paat, one of Chery Tiggo's key players, is set to embark on a new journey.
The seasoned spiker recently disclosed that she will be absent from some crucial games for the Crossovers due to her upcoming tryout in the Korean V-League.
Paat joins the ranks of three Filipinas—Tots Carlos from Creamline and MJ Phillips from Petro Gazz—who are slated to participate in the KOVO draft combine.
Scheduled from April 29 to May 1, the tryout presents an opportunity for Paat to showcase her skills on an international stage.
However, her absence will leave a void in the Chery Tiggo lineup, forcing her to miss at least two pivotal matches.
The earliest she can return to action is on May 2.
Despite the temporary setback, the 30-year-old former league MVP remains optimistic. Paat expressed confidence in her teammates' ability to step up in her absence, particularly in the wing spiker role.
"Siguro may mga mami-miss ‘man ako dito sa semis but then I’m pretty sure na ready yung ibang teammates ko kung sakaling ipasok sila," Paat remarked after Chery Tiggo's hard-fought victory over Galeries Tower on Thursday.
With Paat's impending departure, the spotlight now falls on players like Shaya Adorador, EJ Laure, and Cess Robles to fill the void during the round-robin semifinals, which are set to commence next Tuesday.
Reflecting on her decision to pursue the KOVO tryout, Paat emphasized her desire for growth and exposure. Despite going undrafted in the previous KOVO draft, she views this opportunity as a chance to gain valuable experience.
"Yung pag-tryout ko sa Korea is 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 kasi fully supportive naman sila sa pagta-tryout ko," Paat shared gratefully.
As she prepares to showcase her talent on the international stage, Paat remains grateful for the unwavering support of the Chery Tiggo management.
While her absence may pose a challenge for the team, her pursuit of excellence and growth exemplifies her commitment to elevating her game to new heights.
