Finals MVP Pablo emerges from the shadows to lead NU

National University’s Myla Pablo shares an emotional moment with her head coach Roger Gorayeb during the Lady Bulldogs’ celebration following their win over the Ateneo Lady Eagles on Sunday in the deciding Game 3 of the Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Collegiate Conference Finals. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

For years, National University’s Myla Pablo did her role behind the shadows of her star teammates.

But those days were over as Pablo’s time to take the spotlight presented itself in the semifinals of the Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Collegiate Conference with teammate Dindin Santiago-Manabat out and it culminated in the best-of-three Finals duel with Ateneo.

“Myla, when I came to be the coach of NU, was the quiet kid,” said NU head coach Roger Gorayeb. “I just started talking to her, and then I saw her confidence grow.”

Pablo flourished in the big moments and she couldn’t be silenced in the semifinals all the way to the Lady Bulldogs’ championship conquest on Sunday where she was named Finals MVP after leading her team over the fan-favorite Lady Eagles.

READ: NU downs Ateneo, captures V-League title

Though Pablo won the award, she knows that she wouldn’t be in the position she’s in without Gorayeb’s helping hand.

“I thank him because out there on the floor he’s like my father,” Pablo said, who seemed nonchalant despite being recognized as the best player in the biggest stage of the tournament.

“But I don’t want to think much of the award. I will just use it as an inspiration to get better,” added Pablo, who stepped up in the deciding Game 3 with the Lady Eagles locked in on stopping the towering Santiago sisters.

Manabat scored 11 points while her younger sister, Jaja Santiago had 10.

Gorayeb revealed that he had a feeling Pablo would end up winning the award if the Lady Bulldogs win the title.

NU stopped Ateneo and its superstar Alyssa Valdez in three sets and with Pablo hitting a game-high 15 points in the championship-clincher, things panned out the way Gorayeb had imagined.