Despite dealing with a nagging calf injury, Myla Pablo remains determined to push through and help Petro Gazz seal the 2024-2025 PVL All-Filipino Conference title in Game 2.
Myla Pablo isn’t 100 percent, but that won’t stop her from giving her all in Petro Gazz’s title hunt.
The veteran spiker finished with 12 points to help the Angels get past the Creamline Cool Smashers in five sets, 25-17, 25-20, 18-25, 20-25, 15-10, in Game 1 of the 2024-2025 PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday, April 8.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Petro Gazz nears first All-Filipino crown after five-set escape vs Creamline in Game 1]
But down the stretch, particularly in the fourth and fifth sets, Pablo visibly struggled with a lingering calf issue that first flared up in their semifinal duel against the Choco Mucho Flying Titans.
“Actually, Choco Mucho pa ‘tong calf ko eh,” Pablo admitted to reporters. “Pero siyempre, wala kaming choice—kailangan talaga maging healthy and matapos ‘tong conference na walang ma-injure.”
[ALSO READ: PVL: Myla Pablo overcomes injury trauma with game-winner for Petro Gazz vs Choco Mucho]
While she tried to push through, Pablo commended the Petro Gazz coaching staff for managing her minutes and allowing others like Aiza Maizo-Pontillas to step up in crunch time.
“Sinasabihan kami ng mga coaches namin kung kaya ba namin maglaro ganyan, kung hindi, ilalabas ka. So, I think naging maganda na rin nung fifth set na ginawan ng paraan ni coach [Koji Tsuzurabara],” she added.
Though grateful to be back in the Finals, Pablo admitted she’s not entirely satisfied with her Game 1 performance, knowing she can provide much more for the Angels.
“I’m happy na nakuha namin ‘yung Game 1, pero ‘di ako satisfied kasi may nararamdaman ako. Pero sabi ng teammates ko, ‘My, last push na sa Thursday, ilaban na natin.’ Sila nga pinupush ako—so bakit hindi ko ipush ‘yung sarili ko?”
[ALSO READ: Myla Pablo, Petro Gazz dedicate PVL All-Filipino Finals berth to Brooke Van Sickle]
With only one day to recover before Thursday’s Game 2, Pablo said her focus will be on therapy and recovery as the Angels look to close the series out.
“Sana makisama 'yung calf ko,” Pablo quipped. “Walang rest talaga, so more on therapy muna. Tapos kailangan naming mag-focus sa kung anong dapat naming gawin para makuha yung goal namin as a team.”
Now one win away from history, Pablo is banking on her heart over her hurting calf.