PVL: Mylene Paat still developing chemistry with Chery Tiggo youngsters

Chery Tiggo Crossovers’ Mylene Paat in the PVL Invitational Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — After struggling in the past two games, Mylene Paat admitted that she is still working on her chemistry with the newcomers of Chery Tiggo in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference.

Paat broke her scoring slump with a game-high 15 points to lead Chery Tiggo to its second straight win in Pool A after sweeping the winless Gerflor, 25-19, 25-20, 25-18, on Thursday at Philsports Arena.

The 29-year-old opposite spiker, who has been the leading scorer of the Crossovers for the past conference, only scored a total of 20 points in their first two games as she is leading a new squad composed of rookies Eya Laure, Imee Hernandez, Cess Robles, Jennifer Nierva, and Joyme Cagande.

LOOK: Player of the game Mylene Paat joined by her fiancé Sergey Rezanov. #PVL2023 | @LanceAgcaoiliINQ pic.twitter.com/odaMiEVJeL

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“Kailangan talaga namin ng chemistry sa loob ng court especially ako para sa mga bata,” said Paat shortly after being hailed as player of the game and receiving a boquet of flowers from her fiancé Sergey Rezanov.

“Yun ang pinapagawa ng coaches ko sa training like magooverload ako kasi kailangan ko ng more touches ng bola and more communication para lumabas yung chemistry namin sa loob,” she added.

(We are still working on our chemistry inside the court, especially me leading my new and young teammates. That’s what my coaches wanted me to put extra work in training because I need more ball touches and more communication with my teammates to improve our chemistry.)

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Chery Tiggo coach Aaron Velez encourages his team captain to keep going and remain patient with their progress.

“It’s always a process. Mylene is really taking charge also not only in playing but also in leading the team. I told her not to stop because once they stopped, the communication will break,” he said in Filipino. “All our young players and rookies are looking up to Mylene so I’m asking her to unleash her confidence. And I never doubt her capacity.”

Paat vows not to step as they gun a semifinal berth in Pool A when Chery Tiggo takes on PLDT on Tuesday.

“We won’t stop because we can still improve our skills individually and as a team. We have to keep working hard starting in our training tomorrow,” she said.