NXLED Chameleons veteran Myla Pablo took pride in the team’s run to the finals of the 2026 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference despite falling short of the championship.
Nxled settled for silver after losing to Thailand’s EST Cola in the winner-take-all Finals, but Pablo said the team remained proud of what it accomplished despite the demanding schedule and physical toll of the tournament.
“Sobrang happy ako sa team ko ngayon kasi kung iisipin mo everyday iyung game namin, so parang one day lang ang pahinga namin, but lumaban kami,” Pablo said in an interview with Abante Sports’ Jonas Lavarias.
The Chameleons played on consecutive days at several points in the tournament, leaving the players with little time to recover between matches.
Pablo said the team entered the conference focused on giving its best regardless of the outcome.
“Our mindset talaga this conference is ibigay namin ang best namin. Kung ano man magiging result ng conference, that’s okay,” she said.
“Kasi physical and mental talaga is pagod din. So sabi nga namin, kung ano man mangyari this Invitational, maging proud kami sa sarili namin kahit paano nakaabot kami sa Finals. So ito na nga, nasa Finals na kami. Nagkulang man kami pero ibinigay namin ang best namin this conference,” she added.
Pablo also acknowledged that Nxled still has room for improvement, particularly in building stronger connections among its players.
She estimated that the team was only around 80 percent of its potential during the Invitational as it continued to adjust to a roster assembled from different teams.
“You can see naman, inunti-unti talaga namin kasi ngayon parang nasa 80percent pa lang kami kasi iyung connection namin medyo nawawala pa,” Pablo said.
She also pointed to the support of the coaching staff as an important factor in the team’s progress, particularly in helping the players address issues during the tournament.
With the Invitational now over, Pablo is looking forward to a stronger Nxled in the All-Filipino Conference, especially with Brooke Van Sickle expected to join the team.
“Siguro mas gagalingan pa namin sa All-Filipino kasi nga nariyan na rin si Brooke talaga,” Pablo said.
She said the team will focus on improving its chemistry and attitude while building on the contributions of players who stepped up during the Invitational.
“We know naman, Brooke, na malaking bagay talaga sa amin this conference. Pero maraming nag-step up ngayon this Invitational,” she said. “So, I’m super excited talaga this All-Filipino kasi buo na, kumpleto na kami.” (Adrian Co)
