Aby Maraño and Mylene Paat of the Chery Tiggo Crossovers in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQURIER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Mylene Paat is thrilled to have her “soul sister” Aby Maraño by her side as Chery Tiggo opened its 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference on a high note.
Paat and Maraño are simply making the best of being teammates for the first time in the pro league and their partnership has bore fruits for the Crossovers, who are 2-0 so far in the young conference.
“Playing with my best friend has made everything lighter. It’s given my mentality and body a boost,” said Paat after delivering 10 points off the bench in Chery Tiggo’s 25-12, 25-17, 25-19 win over Strong Group Athletics on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“When it comes to the flow of our game, I hope we just continue with our communication because we have a good relationship on and off the court.”
The former PVL Reinforced Conference MVP formed a strong bond with Maraño when they were together for the Philippine women’s volleyball team from 2018 to 2022.
Maraño joined Paat at Chery Tiggo following the disbandment of F2 Logistics.
Mylene Paat on teaming up with her best friend Aby Maraño. #PVL2024 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/G2gPCL60Ys
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 24, 2024
The middle blocker out of La Salle said it has been surreal teaming up with Paat after witnessing their undeniable connection on the floor during their national team stint.
“We were thinking before ‘what if we played in one team?’ because when we played in the national team before, you can really see the fire when we play together,” Maraño, the new Chery Tiggo captain said.
“Especially during crucial stretches when the two of us are inside the court. So we imagined playing together without knowing that we would eventually manifest it. Ara and I didn’t anticipate what happened to us [F2 disbandment].
“But I guess it’s fated for me to end up here that’s why everyday there’s a reason for me to get even more excited because I’m playing with my bestfriend.”
Aside from Maraño, Paat is also grateful to have Ara Galang to bolster their wing spiker rotation along with Eya and EJ Laure, Cess Robles, and Shaya Adorador.
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“If not for the system and our training, our team won’t seem this deep,” Paat said. “That’s why we really need to play cautious and follow what our coaches tell us.”
Chery Tiggo has a week before its next match against last year’s runner-up Choco Mucho on Saturday at Philsports Arena.