In sports, people always talk about “breakout games” and “off games,” which even extend to seasons. However, what is important is how an athlete looks at his lows and learns to convert them into more highs.
Such is the career of National University Lady Bulldogs women’s volleyball team’s outgoing captain Myla Pablo.
After the Lady Bulldogs missed the Final Four bus with a loss to the De La Salle Lady Spikers, Pablo was inconsolable as she spent almost the entirety of her final UAAP match sitting on the bench. “[I’m] sad kasi hindi mo ineexpect sa sarili mo na ikaw yung nasa team mo, pero ikaw yung walang ginawa,” she said. Pablo continued, “Yung tinraining ko ng ilang weeks, parang nabalewala dahil lang wala akong nilaro nitong game [na ito].”
Myla admitted that there are things she regrets, especially with how NU failed to meet the expectations of most fans and supporters, which is to enter the semifinals once again. Pablo said, “Parang gusto mong lumaban, gusto mong tulungan yung team mo pero hindi mo magawa, kasi ikaw mismo, yung sarili mo iniisip mo, dinadown mo na.”
Despite the slow start this season, the Lady Bulldogs almost made it back to the Final Four after they sent University of Santo Tomas packing and scared University of the Philippines in their last two games prior to the final game La Salle. The skipper shared they were optimistic heading into the game. “Kung nung first round nga natalo natin sila eh, bakit hindi naming kayang talunin ulit?”
However, it was not meant to be.
Nevertheless, putting aside this “disappointing” season, Pablo will go down as one of the reasons why NU came into the consciousness of the now volleyball-crazed nation and sprang to UAAP relevance. When asked on what her memorable moments are, Pablo shared, “Yung sa five years ko, from Season 75 to 77, andun yung Final Four [appearances] namin, yung teamwork namin, yung ‘happy’ namin.” The outside hitter will always be known as one of the most powerful and efficient spikers in the league; she would not be called “Typhoon Pablo” for nothing.
Hence, Pablo will build on these experience as she rejoins her club team, Phillips Gold, soon, as they move to a new “home” in the Shakey’s V-League. She said, “Focus muna ako sa laro, siguro three years [pa].”
Athletes always have regrets and shortcomings may it be in a single rally, single game, or even an entire season. However, when an athlete accepts these failures and learns from it, he or she can overcome any storm and even be stronger than any of it. Myla vows to do just that.
