Although she had already played in the last game, Mylene Paat announced her official return on Thursday during Chery Tiggo’s victory over NXLED in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference.
The former league MVP made her comeback in the Crossovers’ 25-15, 27-25, 18-25, 25-23 victory over Petro Gazz last Saturday and contributed two points in limited playing time.
Against the Chameleons, Paat was unleashed. She came off the bench in the first set before starting the next three frames, producing 16 points with 13 attacks and three blocks.
The 2022 Reinforced Conference MVP sustained a right foot injury during the offseason and missed the first four games of Chery Tiggo.
“Actually, nagpapasalamat talaga ako sa mga coaches kasi as a senior din sa team, kahit na may iniinda ako, may nararamdaman ako, sobrang hindi nila ako minamadali makabalik,” shared Paat, one of the leaders of the Crossovers.
“Sobrang nagtitiwala ako sa process sa progression na binibigay sakin, especially sa tiwala din ng mga coaches so sobrang thankful ako.”
In her first match back, playing heavy minutes, Paat proved that she has fully recovered with an outstanding performance that led to the 22-25, 31-29, 25-23, 28-26 win against NXLED.
More than her points, which can be seen in the stat sheet, it was Paat’s vocal leadership on the court that was missed by Chery Tiggo.
With the Chameleons not giving up in each set, it was Paat’s voice that calmed the Crossovers, who lost middle blocker Imee Hernandez to an injury in the second set.
“Actually every game namin especially nung last set, ang sinisigaw ko nalang sa kanila pusuan natin tong laban na to. So, by puso, talagang mananalo yung team,” said the 2021-22 Volleyball Thailand League Best Scorer.
This was Chery Tiggo’s third straight win and its fifth overall against a single loss. Up next for them will be the streaking PLDT, and there, we can expect Paat to continue her reintroduction to the league.
