PVL: Former Chery Tiggo spiker Mylene Paat joins ‘SGA Exodus’

By Leobert Julian de la Peña

After the Chery Tiggo EV Crossovers’ disbandment in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), Mylene Paat didn’t think twice and followed in the footsteps of her ex-teammates after signing with Strong Group Athletics (SGA).

The move was confirmed on Jan. 7, 2026, after Strong Group formally welcomed the superstar outside hitter in an official social media post uploaded to their Facebook page.

“STRONG SIGNING,” Strong Group wrote.

“Strong Group welcomes former PVL MVP Mylene Paat to the stable. Ready to bring firepower, grit, and championship pedigree.”

Paat’s recent off-season decision will boost her chances of reuniting with her teammates at Chery Tiggo, with the likes of Imee Hernandez, Princess Robles, Karen Verdeflor, and Renee Penafiel already securing their contracts with SGA.

However, it is yet to be known which team Paat will play for—either the Farm Fresh Foxies or the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles—the two teams owned by SGA in the PVL.

Following the massive reshuffle of some of the PVL’s competing teams, Paat became the latest decorated acquisition of Strong Group, alongside veterans Remy Palma, Chie Saet, Bia General, and Royse Tubino.

Unlike Hernandez, who was starting to pick up her stride following a comeback season last year, Paat’s fate is a complete contrast, as she is still recovering from a rotator cuff tear in her left shoulder.

The injury, which usually takes six to eight months to fully heal, became the sole reason the leftie spiker missed the entire 2025 PVL playing calendar.

Paat was known to open doors for more Filipinas to play as overseas Asian imports after rendering her services to Nakhon Ratchasima, a professional club in the Women’s Volleyball Thailand League, in 2021.

During that year, Paat became the second active Filipina to play overseas, aside from Jaja Santiago, who was in Japan suiting up for Saitama.

Paat’s stint with Nakhon made her the third Filipina to set foot in Thailand’s volleyball pro league, after Alyssa Valdez in 2016 and Marck Espejo in 2020.

“Welcome to SGA, Mama P!” Strong Group added.