From rival colors to same side of the court: Real-life couple Myla Pablo and Rald Ricafort reunite on PVL’s All-Star stage 

The 2026 Volleyball All-Star Showcase is already loaded with storylines, but few carry the same mix of sport and personal intrigue as the pairing inside Team Heart.

As PLDT High Speed Hitters head coach Rald Ricafort prepares to steer a star-laden roster in Candon City on May 1, he will be sharing the same competitive space with real-life partner Nxled’s standout Myla Pablo but not as opponents this time, but as part of the same All-Star team.

Even though Ricafort’s PLDT High Speed Hitters fell short of reaching the Final Round of the PVL All-Filipino Conference, their overall body of work still spoke volumes. It was their dominant run in the preliminary round—finishing at the top of the standings with a 7–2 win-loss record that ultimately solidified Ricafort’s appointment as head coach of Team Heart. 

Meanwhile, Pablo earned her spot in the reserve pool of Team Heart after a multi-sector selection process that included coaches, players, officials, and media representatives, cementing her place among the league’s most recognized names for the exhibition showcase.

The selection brings her alongside elite company, including Alyssa Valdez, Jia De Guzman, Jema Galanza, and other league mainstays forming a balanced mix of veterans and rising stars.

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Sabi na ih kukunin ni Rald jowa niya. Yesss, salamat Rald at nilibing yang GaDez fantasy na yan.

Purrr Vanie and Alyssa, Kween Eagles!! https://t.co/JJcJgeVkT2

— kage (@Kageyamatee) April 20, 2026

What has added an unexpected layer to her All-Star appearance is the public attention surrounding her personal life. Pablo recently posted a photo with Ricafort on her social media account, a move widely interpreted by fans as a confirmation of a long-rumored relationship. 

The post quickly circulated online, drawing a wave of reactions and turning what was already a sporting headline into a trending off-court moment.

On the court side, however, both arrive with different competitive contexts. Pablo’s Nxled Chameleons missed out on a semifinals berth in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference after a loss to Farm Fresh, closing their campaign earlier than hoped. 

On the other hand, Ricafort’s PLDT High Speed Hitters squad stayed in the title conversation with a strong semifinal run and a pending bronze medal series against Farm Fresh in a best-of-three battle for third place.

The All-Star setting now creates a rare crossover, a coach leading the league’s top talents while one of those talents happens to be his real-life partner. 

It’s a dynamic that doesn’t change the structure of the game, but undeniably adds narrative weight to Team Heart’s already star-heavy rotation.

Beyond the headlines, the league itself continues to frame the showcase as a celebration of balance—fan voting, technical selection, and committee input shaping the final roster of Team Heart and Team Hustle.

But in a sport often defined by rival colors and fierce club allegiances, this year’s edition adds something more personal which are familiarity on opposite ends of coaching and playing roles, now converging under one banner.

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