The Chery Tiggo Crossovers are one of the favorites to win it all in the PVL Invitational Conference.
Mylene Paat could claim that she's the current best opposite hitter in the country. Very few to none would resist.
The former Adamson Lady Falcon has played abroad and even bagged the Best Scorer award in Thailand's pro league last year. Paat has also won a title in the PVL after the Crossovers beat the Creamline Cool Smashers in the 2021 Reinforced Conference. She has one PVL MVP under her name.
But despite being an offensive juggernaut and a regular threat for the Crossovers, Paat said she has a huge adjustment heading into the PVL Invitational Conference.
The arrival of several super rookies into Chery Tiggo's fold required Paat to not just be a scorer, but also a more active leader and shepherd.
"Sinasabi sa akin ng mga coaches na 'yung role mo ngayon is parang, mas malaki, and kailangan ko pangatawanan 'yun," Paat told One Sports' The Game.
"In terms of ano, skills naman may mga makakatulungan na ako and 'yung laging sinasabi sa akin ng coaches na kailangan ikaw na lang 'yung kapag nasa loob court, kailangan ikaw na lang 'yung magpagalaw sa teammates mo, ikaw mag-instruct sa kanila kung anong gusto naming iparating."
Basically, the 29 years old will have to be the coaches' extension inside the court.
"'Yung big role na gagampanan ko ngayon is not only in attacks or sa skills, kumbaga pati rin 'yung pagtulong ko, pag-instruct sa teammates ko," she said.
While the Crossovers became relatively young with the addition of Eya Laure, Imee Hernandez, Joyme Cagande, Cess Robles, and Jen Nierva, Paat assured there is no divide in terms of age.
"Wala namang [generation gap]."
The new and improved Chery Tiggo will face an early acid test in the PVL Invitational Conference because they will face defending champions Creamline on opening day next Tuesday.