Myla Pablo and Aizo Maizo-Pontillas became the closest of friends during the Petro Gazz Angels' campaign in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
More than discovering her old form, Myla Pablo also found something even more valuable—a growing bond with veteran spiker Aiza Maizo-Pontillas.
Pablo admitted that despite playing alongside each other in previous PVL seasons, she and Maizo-Pontillas were not particularly close.
However, that changed during the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
The two combined for 29 points in the Petro Gazz Angels’ clean sweep of the Galeries Tower Highrisers, 25-18, 25-18, 25-22, at the Ynares Center Antipolo on Saturday, February 15.
Pablo finished with a game-high 17 markers, while Maizo-Pointillas dropped 12 points, earning Player of the Game honors.
“Si Nang, hindi ko siya naging close noon. I think sa All-Filipino at Reinforced, hindi kami masyado nag-uusap. Pero this conference, nagsimula ‘yung closeness namin, lalo na sa church. Every Sunday, lumalabas kami, kakain, tapos ihahatid ko siya sa condo niya,” Pablo shared to reporters.
Through their weekly church visits and post-service meals, their relationship deepened.
Pablo said they eventually became comfortable opening up to each other about personal struggles, strengthening their bond beyond volleyball.
“Parang magkapatid kami. Ramdam niya kung hindi ako okay, at ramdam ko rin kung may pinagdadaanan siya,” she added.
Their growing friendship has also translated into better on-court chemistry, with their communication and trust playing a crucial role in the Angels’ performance during the extended conference.
“Malaking bagay ‘yung pagiging close namin sa loob ng court kasi nandun ‘yung communication. Sasabihan ka niya, ‘My, dito ka ah. Ako dedepensa.’ Kapag wala akong pasa, siya ang co-cover sa akin, at kapag siya naman ang wala, ako ang tutulong,” Pablo explained.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Vintage Myla? Not just yet says Pablo after back-to-back strong games for Petro Gazz]
With their connection strengthening both on and off the court, Pablo believes their dynamic will continue to help their team in the crucial stretch of the All-Filipino Conference.
Petro Gazz will face the Nxled Chameleons in their final preliminary round match on Thursday, February 20 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
“Nag-uusap naman kami ni Nang. Sabi ko, ‘Mommy A, last game na natin sa Nxled. I-push na natin para maganda naman ‘yung end ng elimination natin. After that, the next game, mag-focus ulit tayo,” said Pablo.