Baldo vs Bagyo: Alyssa Valdez celebrates Myla Pablo resurgence, relishes PVL finals battle

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Veteran volleyball stars Alyssa Valdez and Myla Pablo, holders of 5 of the 16 MVP awards in PVL history, once again cross paths, this time in perfect health, ahead of the 2025 All-Filipino finals between the Creamline dynasty and mighty challenger Petro Gazz

MANILA, Philippines – Before Alyssa Valdez ran rampant in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), snatching championships and MVP awards in the wake of her stratospheric rise, there was Myla Pablo, the first player to win multiple MVPs before Valdez and teammate Tots Carlos won three each.

As the years went on, Valdez and Creamline continued to be the gold standard of Philippine volleyball, while Pablo held her own ground a few steps back from the spotlight.

The National University icon, however, has had a difficult last few years, struggling to maintain a place in the rotation of her teams and eventually getting lost to obscurity in recent PVL conferences.

That’s why it was quite a pleasant surprise for volleyball fans as the veteran nicknamed “Bagyong Pablo” (Typhoon Pablo) made a surging return at the turn of the new year, firmly entrenching herself back in Petro Gazz as the No. 2 option behind reigning All-Filipino Conference MVP Brooke Van Sickle.

Just in the last three semifinals wins that sealed the Angels their first finals appearance in two years, Pablo was a hitting and blocking machine, compiling a 39-point total hiked by a staggering 12 blocks and even outscoring Van Sickle, 16 to 15, in the semis ousting of Akari in the round-robin battle.

Now facing the Creamline dynasty in the All-Filipino finals starting Tuesday, April 8, no other than Cool Smashers superstar and longtime rival Alyssa Valdez felt ecstatic about the prospect of facing this savvy veteran version of Pablo.

“Very, very excited. She’s well-adjusted to the team after how many years with Petro Gazz. I think this is her fittest [condition] to date, if I may say, with all the games we’ve seen, and definitely, the fire in her is back,” said Valdez, nicknamed “Baldo” by her fans.

“It’s harder to fight against those kinds of players where you can see the fire, the passion, and the condition. On our side, we’ll definitely work doubly and extra hard so we can match her challenges. Both teams are mentally tough, definitely it’s up to the coaches [to plan].”

The 31-year-old Pablo, meanwhile, is just thankful that the opportunities continue to come as she remains a vital piece of the Petro Gazz engine ahead of the finals.

“I’m happy that I’m in the finals. I’m not the only one working here as all of us are stepping up, from Nang [Aiza Maizo-Pontillas], [Djanel] Cheng, they’re also contributing,” she said in Filipino.

“As I said, if I’m given the opportunity to play, why would I let the chance pass by? That’s why I’m just giving my best to help Brooke in the offense and blocking. I’m happy that my setters are giving me confidence inside the court.”

The skies over the PVL were clear for quite some time, with the golden rays of Creamline shining unhampered down the rest of the empire.

Come Tuesday evening, however, a storm is coming, back in full, terrifying force. – Rappler.com