Pao Pablico hopes to translate MVP nod into UAAP success

The PVL Collegiate Conference saw one of the most heated chases for a Final Four spot in league history, along with a plethora of stars showing out for each school.

Among the brightest stars, Adamson University Soaring Falcons’ Pao Pablico was hailed the unlikely Most Valuable Player, beating out NU Bulldogs’ Bryan Bagunas, UST Tiger Spikers’ Joshua Umandal, and FEU Tamaraws JP Bugaoan.

Pablico averaged 15.1 points per match in the elimination round and led the Falcons to the third seed. Adamson eventually fell to fourth place to end the tourney, making Pablico’s emergence as MVP all the more shocking – even to Pablico himself.

“Nakaka-overwhelm at nakakagulat talaga kasi ang raming magagaling na player sa kabilang teams and fourth place lang kami. Ine-expect ko talaga ‘yung nasa championship games,” said the 5-foot-10 spiker.

“Achievement siguro ‘yun para sa akin at sa Adamson. Proud ako na may nabigay akong ganito para sa school. Pagpapatuloy ko lang ‘to makatulong pa rin sa team lalo na sa UAAP.”

Playing out his final year of UAAP eligibility, Pablico wants nothing more than to bring the San Marcelino-based program back to the Final Four in the UAAP Season 81 Men’s Volleyball Tournament, a feat they missed in the past two seasons.

“Ang pinakagoal ko lang for UAAP is mag-medal lang kami at makapasok ng Final Four. Dalawang taon na kaming wala sa Final Four. Bago ako umalis, ‘yun ang gusto ko makamit.”

The BS Hospitality Management major is most thankful to his coaches, who trusted and converted him into an open spiker just two years ago.

“Blessing siguro talaga ‘yun sa akin. Talagang pinaghirapan ng coaches na turuan akong maglaro sa open. Kailangan na lang na magbunga pa pagdating sa UAAP.”