Tots Carlos sets a new career high in the PVL after towing Creamline past Cignal. –LANCE AGCAOILI/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Tots Carlos’ limitless desire to win has helped her achieve another milestone in her career.
Carlos set a new PVL record of 38 points–the most points scored by a local in a single game–in lifting Creamline to come-from-behind 26-28, 22-25, 25-22, 25-21, 16-14 win over gritty Cignal in the 2024 All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday.
The three-time PVL MVP reset her previous career-high of 31 points she set on February 29, and surpassed Sisi Rondina’s local pro record of 33 points in Creamline and Choco Mucho’s Finals Game 2 last December.
READ: Tots Carlos grateful to receive ‘Ms Volleyball’ honor with teammates
She also became the second player with most points in a single game behind Akari import Priscilla Rivera’s 44 points in the 2022 Reinforced Conference, surpassing former No.2 Elena Samoilenko of PLDT in the same tournament.
“Grateful ako na merong mga ganitong opportunity. Paulit ulit kami na kahit sino pang maka 38 points, kahit sino pang maka 55 points, walang problema basta nanalo yung tea,” said Carlos.
“Masaya lang kami. Kasi honestly, sinusunod lang talaga namin si coach and naglalaro lang talaga kami, nag-eenjoy. Minsan may mga lapses, pero nireremind niya kami na bumalik lang talaga sa sistema na tinitraining namin every day.”
READ: PVL: Creamline subdues Akari behind Tots Carlos’ career-high
Creamline Cool Smashers’ Tots Carlos in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –PVL PHOTO
Behind her 35 kills out of 97 attempts on top of three blocks was her eagerness to will the Cool Smashers back from two sets down.
“Yung 38 points ‘di naman ‘yun personal points eh, team points yun so kahit ilang points pa yung makuha namin individually very happy kami kasi it’s really for the team,” she said.
“Ayaw naming matalo so wala namang special or anything sa mga ginawa namin today. We really played our hearts out. Nakakatuwa kasi sila coach kahit na two sets behind kami wala silang ever sinabi na makakapressure sa amin. Actually, siya pa nga yung kumakalma samin na ‘maglaro lang kayo, mag-enjoy lang kayo.’”
Get to know PVL star Tots Carlos’ style: bold hair colors, simple fits
WATCH: Carlos on her clutch hits to complete their comeback. #PVL2024 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/AAQCZ9mjx4
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) March 26, 2024
When Creamline was on the brink of losing its second game this conference with Cignal at match point, 14-11, Carlos took charge and drilled four straight points to steal the advantage before Pangs Panaga’s game-winning block on Ces Molina to put the Cool Smashers on top with six wins out of seven games.
“Ayaw naming matalo kasi naranasan na namin yung ganung scenario before. Hindi ko lang matandaan kung sinong kalaban namin pero palagi yun eh, tumatakbo sa isip ko,” said the versatile spiker.
“Nakakampante naman ako kay coach lagi kapag sinasabi niya na ‘kapag pinalo mo puntos, kapag hindi eh ‘di hindi. At least binigay mo yung best mo.’ So yun, gusto ko lang talaga na manalo yung team and masaya ako na nakapag-execute kami nung mga bandang huli na.”
Carlos and the Cool Smashers will take a Holy Week break before another big game against the Petro Gazz Angels on April 6 in Sta. Rosa Laguna.