PVL: Tots Carlos thrives under pressure in Creamline title win
Creamline Cool Smashers’ Alyssa Valdez, Tots Carlos and Jia De Guzman celebrate after winning the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference championship. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Tots Carlos showed nerves of steel in delivering the championship-clinching points that brought back Creamline to the top of the PVL All-Filipino Conference.
The Cool Smashers were on the brink of a decider with Cignal ahead, 9-7, in the fifth set, but responded with a 6-1 run to seize a 13-10 lead, highlighted by Pangs Panaga’s block on Vanie Gandler.
READ: PVL: Creamline reclaims All-Filipino crown, outlasts Cignal
Carlos then delivered an off-the-block kill for championship point before sealing the title with a block on Gandler, completing Creamline’s 11th crown and redemption from last year’s Game 3 loss to Petro Gazz.
“Coach Sherwin kept reminding us to just focus on our job. After every point, he’d tell us to move on right away. Whatever he tells us, we follow,” said Carlos, who had 18 points in their 25-23, 22-25, 25-16, 16-25, 15-11 win over Cignal in Game 2.
WATCH: Finals MVP Bernadeth Pons and Tots Carlos after reclaiming the All-Filipino Conference. #PVL2026 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/BtIbQwrqDR
— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) April 23, 2026
“And that really helped us stay composed. Sometimes he doesn’t even talk about technical stuff, it’s more about encouragement. He always tells us to trust each other.”
The three-time league MVP refused to be overwhelmed by the pressure of the match in front of a roaring crowd of 17,358 at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
READ: PVL: Tots Carlos returning to form for surging Creamline
“I think we were calmer, composed, and focused. Cignal has beaten us several times, so we knew it wouldn’t be easy. That game went to five sets; it was really tough. Whether we got the ball or not, we made sure we gave our full effort,” said Carlos.
“We kept cheering each other on and reminded ourselves it’s okay because we gave everything. The coaches also helped us stay calm after every point, whether we scored or they did, we moved on right away. We stayed focused on the present—whatever was important in that moment, that’s all we focused on.”
Carlos, who has battled injuries in the past, said winning her eighth title was especially fulfilling.
“On the injury side, I think I did well this season because I accepted that I needed to double my effort and really take care of myself. This season was tough like today’s game, it wasn’t easy, we really had to grind it out,” said Carlos.
“But we love each other as a team, and we know we always have each other’s backs no matter what. I never doubted the team, and we never doubted each other. We just kept telling ourselves—we’ll fight for as far as we can go and give our full effort.”
