Tots Carlos leads Creamline to bronze finish in the PVL Reinforced Conference. –PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Alyssa Valdez hurt her right knee and was ruled out for the remainder of the match but Tots Carlos and the all-Filipino Creamline still captured the bronze medal after completing a series sweep of Chery Tiggo, 25-15, 25-19, 23-25, 25-21, in the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference on Tuesday at Philsports Arena.
The three-time MVP’s right knee was swollen after it hit hard the floor while going for a dig when Creamline was leading 6-3 in the third set. The Cool Smashers missed her presence in the frame, where they squandered a 23-22 lead as Jelena Cvijovic and Mylene Paat completed Chery Tiggo’s fightback to extend the match.
Valdez, who had 10 points before suffering an injury, finished the game on the bench before going to Makati Medical Center to undergo an MRI.
Carlos stepped up for the Cool Smashers, who also played with an all-Filipino six with Yeliz Basa sitting out due to a nagging injury, as she dropped 19 points built on 17 attacks, including the crucial hits that sealed their bronze in the fourth set, and two aces on top of 11 digs.
WATCH: Alyssa Valdez hurt her right knee while going for a dig. She was carried off the court in the third set. Creamline leads, 6-3. | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/Yox2gYXBMT
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) December 6, 2022
“We’re happy to end the season very well,” said Carlos despite missing their chance to complete a Grand Slam in the season-ending tournament. “Finally, it’s the offseason.”
“I think everyone did well. I think it’s still a good finish because we’ve been working hard for the whole year,” she added.
Jema Galanza chipped in 16 points and 12 digs. Jeanette Panaga had 14 points, providing four of Creamline’s seven blocks, while Celine Domingo added 12 markers, as Jia De Guzman dished out 26 excellent sets and four points.
Creamline ended the season with the first two conference titles and its first bronze in five years. The franchise reached the podium for 10 straight tournaments, including five championships.
“We’re still happy to end our campaign this year with a bronze and a win,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses. “We’re also happy to international tournaments but we didn’t achieve the Grand Slam. But we still have a lot of opportunities next season.”
The Crossovers, who won their first five games to finish 6-2 in the eliminations, lost their last game after two losses in the bronze series, including a 0-3 record in the semis round.
Paat lifted Chery Tiggo with 19 points off 15 attacks and four blocks. Cvijovic had 13 points, EJ Laure chimed in with 11 points, 13 receptions, and 10 digs, while Czarina Carandang added 10.