At 33, Myla Pablo knows that keeping up with the Premier Volleyball League’s evolving demands takes more than a powerful swing. For the Nxled veteran, staying healthy has become just as crucial as putting points on the board.
As younger and more physically imposing players continue to raise the level of competition, the two-time PVL Most Valuable Player has embraced a more disciplined approach to fitness and recovery, determined to remain a dependable weapon for the Chameleons in the All-Filipino Conference Siklab series.
After more than a decade in the league, Pablo has learned that maintaining her effectiveness requires listening to her body and taking better care of it, especially after experiencing her share of injuries throughout her career.
“I know na isa rin ako sa inaasahan ng team ngayon, na kailangan maging healthy yung katawan ko. And siyempre, ayoko magkasakit kasi pag nagkasakit ka, back to zero ka,” Pablo said.
“So, yun yung lagi kong nire-remind yung sarili ko, na kailangan every day talaga, maging maganda yung gising ko. Kailangan maganda yung kalalabasan ng katawan ko para maging maayos yung pag-prepare ko sa bawat games namin this conference."
That mindset has translated into a more deliberate routine heading into the conference. Pablo has committed to daily training sessions with her strength and conditioning coach, Aldo, while becoming more conscious of her eating habits to keep herself in playing shape.
“Kasi bago mag-start yung All-Filipino, naging ano na ako sa katawan ko eh. Hindi na ako yung sobrang matakaw kumain, and every day din ako (nagti-train with Aldo), yung (strength and conditioning coach) ko,” she shared.
The extra work has already begun to show on the court.
Pablo opened her campaign with nine points in Nxled’s straight-sets victory over PLDT before raising her production to 17 points in a five-set thriller against Farm Fresh on Saturday.
More than the numbers, however, it was her composure in the crucial moments against the Foxies that underscored her value to the Chameleons.
With the match hanging in the balance, Pablo helped deliver Nxled’s final four points, capping her performance with the match-clinching block to secure a 25-19, 25-17, 23-25, 20-25, 15-12 victory.
For Pablo, the decisive play was a product of focusing on her responsibilities at the net rather than chasing offensive numbers.
“Siyempre, yung nasa isip ko talaga is mag-block lang ako sa loob ng court. Kasi kung maka-touch man ako, malaking bagay na yun kasi malakas naman yung nasa harapan namin, Brooke at MJ din,” she said.
“Kaya lagi kong nire-remind yung sarili ko na every set talaga, kailangan maka-touch ako at maka-block ako kasi yun naman yung magiging trabaho ko as an opposite. Siguro bonus na lang din talaga kapag nakakapalo ako nang maayos. Laking tiwala din ng mga teammates ko at mga coaches ko."
