NXLED Chameleons veteran Myla Pablo is focused on staying healthy and contributing to her team as she enters her 10th year in the Premier Volleyball League.
Pablo, who recently turned 33, said she remains grateful to still have a team, supportive teammates and the opportunity to compete in the league she has helped grow over the past decade.
“I’m really happy na nandito pa rin ako. May team pa rin ako and healthy pa rin ako as of now,” Pablo said.
For Pablo, longevity has largely depended on taking better care of her body and maintaining a support system that helps her remain competitive.
She admitted that recovery becomes more difficult with age and that injuries can make it challenging for players to return to their previous level.
“Mahirap kasi kapag na-injured, mahirap na makabalik,” she said.
With younger athletes entering the league stronger and fitter, Pablo acknowledged that veterans can no longer rely solely on physical ability to keep up with the competition.
Instead, she said experienced players must lean on discipline, game knowledge and the respect they have earned from coaches, teammates and opponents.
“As a veteran talaga, ang pinanghahawakan talaga namin sa sarili namin is kung paano kami maglaro,” Pablo said.
She added that respect—for the game, coaches and fellow players—is among the most important qualities veterans can offer.
Pablo also welcomed the continued growth of Philippine volleyball, pointing to the increasing support from fans and the arrival of young players through the collegiate system and the PVL Draft.
She said the league’s rising competitiveness has helped draw more supporters, including fans who previously followed college volleyball.
“Ang dami natin talaga sumusuporta sa atin sa PVL,” Pablo said, emphasizing the need for players and teams to value that support.
As one of the league’s longtime figures, Pablo said she is proud to have been part of the PVL’s development alongside league officials and fellow pioneers.
She recalled spending a decade in the competition and expressed happiness that she remains part of the tournament.
Looking ahead, Pablo hopes to continue challenging herself and helping Nxled improve before eventually ending her career.
“Sobrang happy lang ako kay sir Ricky Palou (PVL president) kasi hanggang ngayon nandyan pa rin ako sa liga mo,” she said. (Adrian Co)
