BACARRA, ILOCOS NORTE — A motivated Tots Carlos entered the PCV Socio-Civic and Cultural Center here on Tuesday.
Why? Well, she found out days ago that she will be graduating from the University of the Philippines.
“Lumabas na ‘yung list and I’m graduating. But wala pang date ‘yung graduation,” gushed the 23-year-old.
Carlos, a Physical Education Major, also took her graduation picture at the Fort Ilocandia Hotel through the help of her Creamline teammates.
Alyssa Valdez and Michele Gumabao were the ones holding the backdrop. Gumabao did her make-up. Assistant coach Karlo Santos also helped out.
That motivation definitely translated to the court, especially when Creamline needed her to fill in. Carlos stepped up to jumpstart the team’s offense in the third set.
The UP product proved her worth to the defending champions, injecting energy to the squad that had a rusty start against the Angels.
“We expected a really high level of play. So I’m sure naman kami nag-prepare naman talaga kami. And ‘yun nga, if may mga lapses kami, we really have to fill in. And ako naman, lagi naman akong ready, like what the coaches and my teammates reminds me. Ready ako palagi,” she shared.
“I’m just really grateful for this team kasi especially lalo na ‘pag pasok ko dito, sobrang daming blessings. Sobrang dami kong natututunan, especially from the coaches sila coach Tai [Bundit], Ate Ly, my teammates. Sobrang ganda ng environment ko and I’m really grateful na part ako ng team na ‘to.”
Carlos ended up with seven points for Creamline, which included a couple of crucial hits in the fourth frame to fend off the star-studded Petro Gazz side, 24-26, 28-26, 25-22, 25-20, for its second win of the tournament.
The win also placed Creamline to a tie with Chery Tiggo at the top spot with 2-0 standings.
The Cool Smashers looks to make three-straight wins against Black Mamba-Army on Thursday at 3:00.
