The last time Myla and Marites Pablo were on the same court together was the end of the UAAP Season 78 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
The National University Lady Bulldogs were an overall disappointment that year, missing the Final Four when the pressure was high to enter the Finals. Myla ended her UAAP career on the bench after a lackluster performance against the De La Salle University Lady Spikers. Marites, then in her second year, was also on the bench.
That was also the last run for the Pablos in the Sampaloc-based university. Myla went on to a fruitful career with the Philips Gold Lady Slammers, then the Pocari Sweat-Air Force Lady Warriors.
Marites, on the other hand, was cut from the NU lineup and found her way to the College of Saint Benilde, debuting in the NCAA Season 93 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
Myla is now one of the most successful players in the country. Marites, meanwhile, is still finding her way.
After two years, the pair have again met on the court, with Myla’s Lady Warriors squeaking past Marites’ Petro Gazz Angels.
Their production last Wednesday showed the disparity between the two sisters: Myla went off for a game-high 22 points, while Marites hopped off the bench for six markers.
But for the sisters, it is always special to share the court.
“Nakaka-proud sobra kasi first time ko siya makalaban PVL, professional league nga. Nakitaan ko siya ng potential sa loob ng court, medyo parang isa siya sa mga senior na din na nagsasalita na napapansin ko,” Myla said of her younger sister.
“Binibigay naman niya yung best niya kaya sobrang happy ako na kahit papaano nakakatulong siya sa team niya.”
On the other hand, Marites reflected that “iba po talaga kapag nakakalaro ko si Ate. Alam naman natin ‘yung narating niya and kung paano siya tignan ng mga tao.”
“As a player, madali nang makita kung ano ‘yung kailangan kong abutin kasi Ate ko na ‘yan.”
With her younger sister still thriving, Myla acknowledges the parallels between her role as Marites’ older sister and as her contemporary.
“Minsan ‘pag may mga tune-up games siya sinasabi niya sa akin ‘Ate ang panget ng laro ko. Anong gagawin ko?’” Myla shared.
“Tinuturuan ko naman siya na parang, unang-una, ‘wag siyang sisimangot sa loob ng court and then yun nga bigay lang niya yung best niya sa team alam kong kailangan siya ng coach niya. Isa siya sa mga hahandle ng team niya so ayun sabi ko lang ibigay mo yung best mo na hangga’t kaya mo.”
