Driven by her desire to support her family, Far Eastern University’s Chen Tagaod is taking a bold step forward by declaring for the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Draft.
Tagaod shared that helping her family is one of the main reasons behind her decision to turn professional. She hopes to ease their burdens and give back to the people who have supported her since the beginning of her journey.
Beyond that, the 5-foot-8 outside hitter believes it’s time to step out of her comfort zone and embrace a new challenge — one that will help her grow not only as an athlete but also as an individual.
“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,” said Tagaod.
“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.
(C) PVL Images
Now on the verge of joining the country’s premier volleyball league, Tagaod expressed her excitement to go up against elite competition, learn from veteran players, and apply everything she gained from her years with the Lady Tamaraws.
“For me, importanteng bagay ito at nilu-look forward ko na mas marami pa akong matutunan, lalo na sa PVL kasi maraming beteranong maglalaro,” said the University of San Jose-Recoletos recruit, who joined FEU in UAAP Season 84 and immediately made an impact.
“Excited ako na mas matuto pa, at siyempre, makapag-contribute gamit ang mga natutunan ko sa FEU,” she added.
Though she’ll miss wearing the green and gold, Tagaod leaves with full confidence in the team she’s leaving behind. She believes her younger teammates, under the leadership of Coach Tina Salak, are more than capable of taking the next step toward a finals appearance after back-to-back Final Four campaigns.
“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.”
#WATCH: FEU’s Chen Tagaod shares that she joined the #PVLDraft to help support her family 🏐
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— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) May 30, 2025
