Myla Pablo and the Petro Gazz Angels celebrate after winning the PVL All-Filipino Conference title.-MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Inspired by her resurgence that led to Petro Gazz’s breakthrough PVL All-Filipino Conference triumph, Myla Pablo is determined to continue the Angels’ winning ways while flying the flag in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Champions League.
“Honestly, it’s overwhelming because everything’s been going up lately—one good thing after another. I’m really thankful and I just want to grab every opportunity that comes my way. The AVC is a different kind of challenge—it’s international, so I know I have to be extra prepared,” Pablo told Inquirer Sports in Filipino.
SCHEDULE: Petro Gazz, Creamline, PLDT at 2025 AVC Champions League
“Personally, I just want to be physically and mentally ready so that when the team needs me. But my main goal here is to learn from our imports and from the players we’ll be up against.”
Pablo, who had injuries and limited time in her past conferences, was reignited in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino as she displayed her old MVP form to conspire with Brooke Van Sickle at the forefront of the Angels’ charge.
The new rising stars like two-time MVP Van Sickle, who also brings out the best in her in practice, reignited her passion to regain her lethal form in this conference.
“It’s honestly hard to explain the rollercoaster of emotions. As I’ve stayed longer in the industry, more and more new players are coming in. Then things didn’t go well with my old team, and when I moved, I was surrounded by really strong and competitive Fil-Ams. I kept asking myself, “Can I still keep up?” But after all these years of being an athlete and competing, I chose to take the challenge and work on bringing my game back,” said Pablo.
READ: Petro Gazz taps American import Gia Day for AVC Champions League
(Sobrang unexplainable nung rollercoaster na pakiramdam kasi habang tumatagal ako sa industry, maraming bagong dumadating, tapsa ganun pa nangyari sa old team ko, then paglipat ko syempre mabibigat na kasabay kasi may mga competitive filams din so yung question na kaya ko pa ba sumabay—lagi ko naiisip. Pero sa mahabang panahon na atleta ako at nagcocompete, mas pinili ko pa din itake yung challenge na ibalik yung laro ko.)
And the chance to prove herself again came when coach Koji Tsuzurabara started the 31-year-old outside spiker.
“ I just really needed an opportunity—and thankfully, Petro Gazz gave me that. I just wanted to prove that I still have something to give. Winning the championship was such a huge bonus, especially since I’m also slowly gaining my confidence back as an individual player. The trust the team gave me—and the trust I gave myself—really helped,” Pablo said.
(Opportunity lang talaga kailangan ko and thankfully si Petro Gazz nabigyan ako nun kaya pinatunayan ko lang na may kaya pa ako ibigay. Sobrang laking bonus nalang talaga na nakapagchampion yung team while also bumabalik din yung confidence ko as an individual player. Big help yung confidence ng team sakin at sakin sa sarili ko )
READ: Myla Pablo dealing with calf injury in PVL Finals return
Her resurgence resulted in the Angels’ first All-Filipino crown, ending Creamline’s dynasty.
Although she struggled with a calf injury in Game 3 and ended up scoreless, Pablo knew that everyone from the Angels was ready to step up.
“There’s really no better time for me to experience more playing time again, especially at this stage in my career—and the fact that we ended up as champions makes it even more fulfilling. It felt good knowing that I was able to contribute and that my efforts helped us reach the end goal of becoming champions,” said Pablo.
Pablo and the Angels, fresh from their Holy Week break, battle the Kaohsiung Taipower, which dominated Hong Kong’s Hip Hing, 25-10, 25-16, 25-14, on Monday at 4 p.m.
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