F2 Logistics celebrates a point against Creamline. PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Myla Pablo unleashed a season-high 27 points but she credited F2 Logistics’ thrilling come-from-behind win over Creamline—a team that she hasn’t beaten in a long time—to the leadership of Aby Maraño in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Saturday before a roaring 6,765 fans at Philsports Arena.
“My points came from everyone because all of us worked hard. We won’t win without my teammates, especially our team captain, ate Aby, who kept on reminding us: Atin ‘to,” said Pablo in Filipino after scoring 22 attacks and five blocks in their 23-25, 25-18, 16-25, 25-23, 16-14 victory over Creamline.
“When ate Aby went in, she boosted our confidence inside the court. She was our motivation. Our coaches also always remind us not to play the game of Creamline,” she added.
Maraño didn’t only deliver 14 points off 11 kills but she also kept the Cargo Movers afloat with her leadership despite being down by two sets and trailing, 12-14, in the fifth.
“Tatlo lang yung sinasabi ko. Atin to. Walang papayag. Tibay ng loob. Paulit-ulit yun. As in paulit-ulit yun hanggang mamaos na lang ako ngayon,” said Maraño after the game.
Her motivational words worked wonders for F2 Logistics with Kianna Dy nailing a crucial block on Tots Carlos and Ivy Lacsina delivering at the service line, including the game-clinching ace.
“We were communicating, me, Ara [Galang], and Kianna, to tighten our [net] defense because their [Creamline’s] attacks are strong. In those crucial moments, you have to apply it right away. It was effective even we were down by three points. We were able to execute all of our coach’s instructions,” Maraño said in Filipino.
After a frustrating loss to Chery Tiggo in straight sets last Thursday, the veteran middle blocker knew that her teammates will bounce back and rise to the occasion against Creamline, which they tied at 3-1 in second place.
“Our last game against Chery, we weren’t ourselves. We failed to connect and we didn’t communicate. We didn’t talk about it, we just trained,” Maraño said. “Our flow is automatic because our connection has been in our team for a long time since most of us have been together since college.”
“Our coaches and coach Reg ignited the fire in our team and motivated us by constantly reminding us what we are capable of,” she added.
With the Cargo Movers beating the Cool Smashers in their second PVL collision, Marano enjoyed the quality of their match.
“Sa tingin ko napaka dekalidad ng laro. Dapat lang. Tumataas yung level ng volleyball sa Pilipinas ‘pag ganito yung klase ng mga laro sa PVL,” she said.
Pablo also relished her first win against Creamline as part of F2 after failing to topple Creamline when she was with Petro Gazz the past two seasons.
“I’m happy to be part of this win, playing for a champion team with the F2 players. This is my first time beating Creamline since I joined Petro Gazz. F2 got a winning game plan,” the former PVL MVP said.