Mylene Paat and Jema Galanza last shared a court back in UAAP Season 80, when they were still with Adamson.
After singing Adamson’s alma mater hymn for one last time back on April 14, 2018 at the Blue Eagle Gym, the two went their separate ways.
Paat, a 5-foot-11 opposite hitter, went to the Philippine Superliga to play for Cignal. On the other hand, Galanza, a 5-foot-7 outside hitter, joined Creamline in the Premier Volleyball League.
After three years, the two can finally compete on one court once more. Paat’s Chery Tiggo was one of the five PSL teams that transferred to the PVL.
And the two Lady Falcons can’t wait when the Crossover takes on the Cool Smashers.
“Sobrang excited. After ng UAAP days namin ni Jema, parang kapatid ko ‘yan. She guided me and I guided her. Kanya-kanya kaming umangat na hiwalay, kaya excited kami to face each other,” the 26-year-old Paat shared to The Game.
“Gusto ko ma-try ‘yung staredown ni Jema Galanza.”
“Sobrang excited din kasi may pagka-swag din siya. Hindi ko pa rin ma-imagine kasi first time namin magkakalaban, kaya super excited rin,” quipped the 24-year-old Galanza.
Despite playing in separate leagues, Paat and Galanza continued to keep tabs on each other, watching each other’s games either live on the venue or on TV.
In the PSL, Paat has grown in confidence, eventually winning the Best Scorer title during the 2018 All-Filipino Conference.
“Honestly, si Ate Mylene, ang laki ng inimprove since after ng UAAP. Nakikita ko sa kanya ‘yung sipag niya as an athlete. Ngayon talaga, nakaka-proud kasi ang layo na ng narating niya,” Galanza remarked about Paat.
For her part, Galanza rose to the top of the PVL during the 2019 PVL Open Conference. She won not just the 1st Best Open Spiker award, but also the MVP tiara.
“Sobrang laki ng improvement niya sa court na talagang napapanganga na lang ako. ‘Yung gina-guide ko dati, sobrang angat na. The way ng paglaro niya ngayon, nakaka-amaze,” gushed Paat about Galanza.
“Mas bumuka talaga ‘yung wings niya parang Falcon.”
Now, they get to test each other in the PVL.
But whatever happens on the court, the two spikers vow that they will remain as close friends off of it. Moreover, with just one league, they can now lift each other to greater heights together again.
“Nakakatuwa lang din na nag-grow kami na hiwalay kasi dati lagi kami magkasama,” shared Galanza.
