There’s a tier of good local volleyball players, but Pocari Sweat’s Myla Pablo resides on a higher tier.
This is relatively new real estate for the Tarlac native. She has always been a prolific attacker, gaining the reputation with her power-hitting exploits during her time with the National University Lady Bulldogs.
After leaving the UAAP, however, Pablo has slowly matured with the Lady Warriors. Now, the two-time PVL Finals MVP has developed a clutch gene, pulling in crucial points when her team is in dire need.
Earlier tonight, “Typhoon” Pablo was in full display.
With the Lady Warriors losing a two-set lead to the Power Smashers, Pocari Sweat’s ace piled up seven points in the fifth set to dig her team out of trouble and keep their place atop the Open Conference standings.
Pablo finished with 30 points, twice as many as Pocari Sweat’s next scorer Jeanette Panaga.
“Inisip ko talaga na kailangan pag lumalamang sila kailangan (lumaban) kami,” the 23-year-old shared.
“Mindset ko talaga tulungan ko ang team ko and then kahit pagod na kami hindi namin iniisip na pagod na kami, na aayaw na kami. Hindi (ganoon), ang mindset namin lalaban ka hanggang sa dulo.”
Missing contributions from her teammates, the 5-foot-9 spiker deliberately asked for the ball.
“Wala — kinausap ko si Elaine at si ate Cai at si Gy (Sy, Pocari Sweat’s setter). Sabi ko, ‘O, Gy kung ayaw nilang paluin ibigay mo sakin lahat ng bola gagawan ko ng paraan.’
“Kasi hindi ko naman maano ang sarili ko kung ayaw nila po ‘di ba? Sabi ko na lang gagawin ko na lang ang best ko, kung anong makakaya ko basta maipanalo lang ito,” the Tarlac-native asserted.
Next week, the Lady Warriors face-off against fellow undefeated squad Creamline Cool Smashers. Pablo knows she’ll need every bit of her strength when she squares off against fellow great, Alyssa Valdez.
“Siyempre excited talaga ako na makalaban siya. Challenge ‘yun.
“Sa mga ganoong laban ka talaga mate-test and mag-i-improve,” declared Pablo.
