Tots Carlos.–PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Premier Volleyball League stars Tots Carlos, MJ Phillips, and Mylene Paat are set to try out in the 2024 Korean V-League Women’s Asian Quota Draft.
Korean Volleyball Federation (KOVO) released the 36-player pool for the possible Asian imports next season including Creamline’s three-time PVL MVP Carlos, Chery Tiggo veteran spiker Paat, and Petro Gazz middle blocker Phillips, who was the lone Filipino drafted last season in the women’s division.
Phillips was selected fifth overall pick for the Gwangju AI Peppers as Paat, Jia De Guzman, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Majoy Baron, and Iris Tolenada went undrafted.
READ: MJ Phillips only Filipino drafted into Korean V-League
Phillips, the Filipino-American middle blocker, who just got back in Manila and is set to rejoin Petro Gazz in the ongoing All-Filipino Conference, is eager to earn a spot for a possible second season in South Korea.
“I just want to prove that I can still hang with them. Obviously, my stint there, our team didn’t do the greatest but I definitely still want to just keep improving my game every single time,” Phillips said.
The PVL Best Middle Blocker relished her first stint in the Korean V-League despite the last-place finish with a 5-31 record.
“My stint in Korea was all right. As everyone knows and follows, my team finished last but it was a great experience overall. I got to play at a competitive level, a very high level. I got to learn a lot, so it was good,” said Phillips.
For Paat, Chery Tiggo coach KungFu Reyes said they haven’t talked about her upcoming tryout in Korea but he believes her player, who played for Nakhon Ratchasima in Thailand two years ago, has what it takes to
“She’s qualified. It’s an additional feather [to her hat]. It’s national pride. But we haven’t talked about the names that came out so far. But we’re happy whatever her decision will be,” said Reyes in Filipino.
Carlos, on the other hand, is eyeing her first overseas stint.