Pocari Sweat ace Myla Pablo will endure injuries. She’ll even absorb online hate.
But Pablo will not stand questions about her integrity.
Last Friday, the former PVL Most Valuable Player suffered a disastrous injury right before the Lady Warriors’ do-or-die semifinals match against the Creamline Cool Smashers. Pablo tweaked her back during the official warm-ups and could only watch her squad from the sidelines succumb to the Cool Smashers.
“Siguro, noong do-or-die game namin, nagkamali talaga ako ng twist sa katawan ko. Sabi ko kay coach Jasper (Jimenez) na bigyan niya lang ako ng 10 minutes na makapag-warm-up ulet. Na-realize ko na lang noong first set na na parang ‘di ko na talaga kaya, sumasakit lalo,” recalled the 24-year-old.
“Noong third set na, nangingiyak na ako kasi ‘yung pinaka-importanteng game, nawala pa ako. Basta makalaro lang ako, manalo o matalo, nasa isip ko lang na kailangan masamahan ko ‘yung mga teammates. Inaasahan din ako ng coaches and management namin. Nakakalungkot talaga.”
While she was wallowing in disappointment, the former NU Lady Bulldog ended up scrolling through her Twitter, which were filled with claims that she somehow faked her injury.
Now out for the rest of the Reinforced Conference bronze medal series, Pablo expressed dismay at the negative remarks towards her character.
Pablo had played through several injuries throughout her career. Her recent lumbar injury was unbearable.
“Okay lang naman na i-bash nila ako. Pero, ‘wag naman sana kwestiyunin ‘yung injury ko. Siyempre, nasasaktan din kaming mga players sa mga sinasabi nila,” the 5-foot-10 spiker emphasized.
“Kahit bina-bash ako, ayoko din talaga sumagot. Pero noong sinasabi nila na peke ‘yung injury ko, na-hurt talaga ako. Sobrang sakit na nang nararamdaman ko noon tapos makakarinig ka pa ng ganoon.”
