Pablo makes up for subpar final UAAP year with V-League title, MVP

MANILA, Philippines – Myla Pablo had a disappointing final season with National University in the UAAP Season 78 tournament, as she failed to lead the Lady Bulldogs to the Final Four in her last year in the collegiate league.

On Monday, Pablo earned a measure of redemption after she put together another sensational performance for the Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors in the winner-takes-all Game 3 of the V-League Open Conference Finals against Air Force.

It was Pablo who sparked Pocari's comeback in the first set, with her powerful, sharp attacks proving too much even for the floor defense of a veteran Air Force team. She finished with 23 points in the 29-27, 18-25, 25-21, 25-19 victory, and was later named the Finals MVP.

Pablo admitted afterwards that she did not expect to receive the honor. "Nagulat pa ako," she said. "Akala ko kay Gy (Gysele Sy) or kay Ate Michele (Gumabao)."

"Nagulat na lang ako, kasi 'di ko ine-expect na mag-Finals MVP ako," she added.

She earned praises for her performance, with Pocari coach Rommel Abella noting that Pablo had a different "fire" in her eyes ever since the start of the V-League playoffs, wherein they played Bali Pure.

"Going into the semis, iba 'yung fire na nakita namin sa kanya. No let-up s'ya pagdating sa laro. Pag gusto n'yang paluin, papaluin n'ya talaga," Abella said.

Gumabao, Pocari's team captain, said that she was "so proud" of Pablo for the way she delivered in crucial moments.

"Iba rin ang leadership n'ya sa loob," Gumabao said of Pablo. "Alam kong hindi s'ya vocal, kaya hirap s'yang maging captain ball, pero in terms of scoring, in terms of delivering pag kailangan mo, she's always there for you."

Bittersweet victory

Pablo was delighted with their Finals triumph – "Napakasaya kasi first time namin mag-champion, first time pa namin sumali sa V-League," she said – but in a way, the victory was also bittersweet.

Even while relishing the championship, Pablo was still wondering why her tremendous play in the V-League rarely happened when she was playing for the Lady Bulldogs in the UAAP season.

"Masaya ako kasi nakuha ko 'yung Finals MVP," Pablo said. "(Pero) iniisip ko, bakit 'di ko ginawa, bakit hindi lumabas (ang laro ko)? Iniisip ko, bakit ganun? Bakit ngayon lumabas 'yung laro ko, eh noong UAAP, 'di ko nagawa."

Pablo makes it clear that she desperately wanted to give her best to National University during their campaign in the UAAP and that she bore no ill will towards head coach Roger Gorayeb, who at times benched her in games for her subpar play.

"Fault ko nga, kasi wala na akong nilaro talaga. Sobrang off na," she said.

Pablo has a chance to play one more time for National U and perhaps make up for her poor play in her final season, as the Lady Bulldogs will compete in the V-League Collegiate Conference that starts on July 30.

However, she could not commit when asked if she was willing to play for NU, even as a guest player.

"Depende pa," she said. "Pero focus na ako sa studies kasi graduating na ako sa October, at medyo marami akong absent dahil sa V-League. Naghahabol pa ako."

"Depende kung kaya ng schedule ko, pero mahirap pa, baka tumama sa mga araw ng klase," she added.

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