CANDON CITY – Myla Pablo’s return to the spotlight couldn’t have come at a better time. In front of an electric crowd of 3,947 at the Candon City Arena, the two-time PVL MVP seized the opportunity to lead Petro Gazz to a commanding straight-sets victory over Farm Fresh on Saturday in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
Stepping into the starting lineup in place of Jonah Sabete, who was sidelined with a strained left calf, Pablo delivered a vintage performance. Her contributions powered the Angels to a dominant 25-21, 25-17, 25-19 win over the young Foxies.
From the moment her name was announced in the starting lineup, the cheers from the Ilocano crowd fueled Pablo’s confidence. After spending most of the past two conferences watching from the sidelines, the 31-year-old winger felt a rush of emotion she hadn’t experienced in a while.
“Na-miss ko ‘yung ganung tawag kasi sabi ko nga sa inyo, dalawang conference akong hindi gaano naglaro or di nababad. Parang na-feel ko ‘yung sarili ko kanina, na-miss ko ‘yung ganung sigaw na ‘Myla Pablo!’” Pablo shared after the game. “Parang sabi ko, pagkakataon ko na ito na maglaro. Ibibigay ko ‘yung best ko at ‘yung tiwala ng mga coaches.”
Pablo made the most of her return to the starting six, finishing with 11 points, including two kill blocks. It was a stark contrast to her first two games of the conference, where she managed a combined three points against Choco Mucho and Creamline.
“Sobrang nakakatuwa kasi same language, Ilocano, so nakaka-touch din. Siyempre, ang daming fans na sumusuporta sa volleyball community, lalo na sold out ‘yung tickets,” said Pablo, a native of Tarlac. “Sobrang happy kasi naglalaro kami sa ganito kadaming fans, and for sure maraming mga Ilocano ang nanonood.”
While the night marked a triumphant return for Pablo, she acknowledged that there’s still work to be done before she’s back in peak form. Having spent limited time on the court in the previous conferences, she’s adjusting to the rigors of extended minutes and intense rallies.
“Actually, ngayon kasi hindi pa talaga ako ‘yung full na naglalaro. Naninibago ako ngayon, especially sa court, sa pagod ng mga rally. Kasi in those two conferences, hindi ako ganun kababad. So this time talaga, it’s my first game na babad. Kailangan talaga trabahuin sa training,” she admitted.
The Angels’ win not only boosted their record but also highlighted the potential of Pablo reclaiming her place as a consistent contributor. With her performance and the unwavering support of the crowd, the veteran hitter has made a strong case to remain in Petro Gazz’s rotation.
For Pablo, Saturday’s game was more than just a victory; it was a reminder of her capability and the power of a crowd that believes in her. As the conference unfolds, she is determined to rise to the challenge, just as she did in Candon City.
