Creamline Cool Smashers faced their former teammate Ced Domingo who now plays for the Akari Chargers in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Tots Carlos carried Creamline’s offense on her back after erupting for a career-high 31 points in frustrating Akari, 25-22, 21-25, 25-22, 25-19, in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Thursday night at PhilSports Arena.
But despite that performance, Carlos is still looking to be even better.
“‘Yung nilalaro ko ngayon, even me, ‘di ako makapaniwala,” Carlos said after Creamline improved to 2-0. “Dahil sa mga tulong ng mga coaches, ‘yung suporta ng mga teammates ko, na walang pressure, training lang lagi.
SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024
The Cool Smashers rushed to an 11-7 lead in the final frame as Carlos put the finishing touches to help hike her squad’s winning run to 17 dating back from the last conference.
“Hindi lang naman dumadaan lang ‘yung games. Personally, may mga natutunan din naman ako sa mga ganitong sitwasyon, [like] ano’ng gagawin. Honestly, gusto ko pang matuto pa,” said the Finals MVP of the last conference.
Tots Carlos celebrate a point for Creamline in a PVL All-Filipino Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Akari leveled the game at one set apiece after clinching the second frame despite the offensive arsenal of Creamline that blitzed the Chargers with 16 attacks.
But the Fifi Sharma-led Akari also showed its net defense with six blocks that helped the Chargers maximize Creamline’s eight errors.
Second best outside spiker of the last conference Jema Galanza helped with 15 points including two blocks and an ace while Creamline’s most prominent figure Alyssa Valdez, who started in the first three sets, contributed eight points including two aces.
READ: PVL: Creamline welcomes pressure as title favorite anew
Three players from Akari finished in twin digits with Sharma having 14 points, Dindin Santiago-Manabat 13 and former Petro Gazz stalwart Grethcel Soltones 10.
It was also the first meeting between Ced Domingo and her old local club, but she still hasn’t given much output for the Chargers after only logging four points despite starting in the last three sets.
WATCH: Tots Carlos on her 31-point explosion. #PVL2024 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/K8hyBZfFDt
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 29, 2024
Bea de Leon and Denden Lazaro-Revilla debuted with their new team, contributing five points and 11 excellent receptions, respectively.
“Masaya ako na paunti-unti na nila naa-adapt ‘yung sistema, nasasama na sila sa lahat ng ginagawa ng team … and also additional na tulong ‘pag kailangan sa game,” Carlos said of her new teammates.
“Ang mindset naman lagi namin na sinasabi ni coach after one game, tapos na, kasi napakahaba nung season, napakadaming team,” she said.
“Every time na matapos namin ‘yung isang laro, natapos na ‘yung trabaho, mindset na kami into the next game. So ready lang naman kami palagi,” she added.