Mylene Paat has big shoes to fill

Mylene Paat. INQUIRER PHOTO/Marc Anthony Reyes

Mylene Paat will, in every sense, be filling in the big shoes of sisters Jaja Santiago and Dindin Manabat, and, just hours after being introduced as the Chery Tiggo Crossovers’ new franchise player, admits to feeling the pressure.

The high-impact opposite spiker for the national team said she’s confident her teammates will step up as the former Foton Tornadoes try to end a four-year title brought with her leading the way when the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix opens next month.

“I believe this is not just a one-player team, so I’m confident we will do it as a team,” Paat said on Wednesday during a launch to announce her signing. “But yes, I feel pressure on my part to perform to the best of ability.”

The lefty Pangasinan native, who was instrumental in the HD Spikers’ resurgence last season, will have to man the fort while Santiago and Manabat are competing as imports in the tough Japan league.

The Tiggo Crossovers also announced the acquisition of five more players to complete a massive buildup. Jasmine Nabor, Rachel Austero, Janine Navarro, Joy Dacoron and Ria Duremdes were added to the roster.