PVL: Mylene Paat stars as Chery Tiggo grounds Army

Chery Tiggo spoiled Army's PVL All-Filipino Conference debut. PVL

By Stewart Tan

MANILA—The Chery Tiggo Crossovers gave the Army Lady Troopers a forgetful debut in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference with a 25-21, 23-25, 25-16, 25-12 beating on Saturday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

Mylene Paat produced 22 points, including four blocks, to go with 12 excellent digs, EJ Laure and Czarina Carandang had 12 markers apiece, while Ponggay Gaston chipped in eight markers for the Crossovers.

Paat’s influence was evident in the match as she provided the leadership, especially when the Crossovers were in shambles in the second frame that enabled the Lady Troopers to draw level on a strong finishing kick.

“I told them that we lost our composure and focus in the second set kasi parang minadali namin. So I said we need to stay calm and from there we were able to get our game back,” said Paat.

The Crossovers also took advantage of the Lady Troopers’ erratic game, drawing 28 points off the Lady Troopers' miscues while yielding 17 points of their own.

“Yun ang malaking bagay sa amin, we have to take the experience,” said Chery Tiggo coach Aaron Velez. “Yung experience na nakukuha namin, yun yung ingredients na kailangan namin for the season.”

“Kasi nagiging individual ang laro naming pero nung nakuha naming yung teamwork, which started with good reception and good setting, nag-deliver na mga spikers naming,” he added. “It’s really the communication.”

Honey Royse Tubino tallied 16 points and Jeanette Villareal came up with 12 markers for the Lady Troopers, who were without star Jovelyn Gonzaga, who opted to focus on her Southeast Asian Games beach volleyball preparation.

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