Tots Carlos delivered a one-of-a-kind performance as Creamline came back from 0-2 down and carved out a 26-28, 22-25, 25-22, 25-21, 16-14 win over Cignal in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
The three-time Conference MVP set the PVL record for most points in a single game with 38 big points on 35 attacks and three blocks, eclipsing the previous mark of 33 set by Sisi Rondina on December 16, 2023 against, coincidentally, the Cool Smashers.
Her last four points were the most important of the night as it lifted themselves from a 14-11 deficit.
Carlos went with a push shot, an off-the block kill, a drop ball, and a sharp spike off a combination play to put Creamline on top, 15-14.
Pangs Panaga then drilled the clincher with a solid block on Ces Molina to finish the match in two hours and 57 minutes.
“‘Yun nga, ‘yung 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… wala. 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,’” said Carlos on her successive points in the endgame.
With Cignal already on the verge of a sweep after winning the first two sets, Meneses did the tweak by going with Bernadeth Pons and Bea De Leon and that worked wonders as the Cool Smashers rallied to force the decider.
Creamline rose to solo leadership with a 6-1 record heading into the Holy Week break.
“Isa lang naman lagi ‘yung sinasabi ko sa kanila diyan e. Paulit-ulit lang naman ‘yung volleyball, so kung magawa mo ‘yung lagi mong ine-ensayo, makakahabol at makakahabol ka,” said head coach Sherwin Meneses.
Jema Galanza also dazzled in the win with 14 points, 30 excellent digs, and 11 receptions, while Pons chipped in 13 points in just three sets of play.
Panaga ended up with 11 points. Kyle Negrito had a season-high 35 excellent sets.
On the other hand, the HD Spikers dropped to 4-2, still at sixth spot and half a game behind joint-fourth Petro Gazz and Chery Tiggo at 5-2.
Jov Gonzaga led the way for Cignal with 22 points, 21 digs, and 16 receptions. Rose Doria and Molina had 19 points apiece.
Creamline’s next game will be on April 6 against Petro Gazz at the Santa Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna while Cignal will face Farm Fresh on April 4 also at Philsports.
