Tots Carlos is on a tear in the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Open Conference.
The University of the Philippine product led Creamline to a perfect 3-0 slate in the group stage. There, she also recorded a then-season-high 28 points against Petro Gazz.
Then, Carlos completely detonated in the playoffs. She first scored 17 points in the quarterfinals victory against Chery Tiggo. Then she exploded for 26 and 23 points in the semifinals sweep of Choco Mucho.
According to Carlos, she has two motivations for her inspired campaign this Open Conference.
The first? Of course, the Cool Smashers’ heart-breaking loss to the Crossovers in the finals of the Open Conference last year at the Ilocos Norte bubble.
“I think maybe the experience, lalong lalo na from last tournament. Kasi may mga sariling hugot pa ko from the last tournament. So talagang tinrabaho namin nila coach [Sherwin Meneses],” said the 23-year-old Carlos after Creamline’s Game Two win over Choco Mucho on Sunday.
“Sobrang dami naming natutunan, even the chemistry of the team. So ayun,” she added.
The second is a personal one for the former Motolite stalwart. Carlos is looking to hoist her first major championship with the Cool Smashers after failing to bag one in the UAAP.
“Siyempre motivated ako kasi if we get this championship, this will be my first championship eh as a pro… Actually, sa kahit anong malaking liga na sinalihan ko ever.
“So ayun, very excited ako and sobrang motivated ako kasi sila coac,h grabe yung tiwala sa’kin. Sila Ate Ly [Valdez], sobrang tinutulungan talaga nila kami,” added Carlos, whose only championship in the big leagues is the 2018 PSL Collegiate Grand Slam.
Creamline, after dropping the opening set, bounced back to eliminate Choco Mucho, 23-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-15, in Game Two of the semifinals.
Carlos unleashed 19 attacks, three aces, and a block for 23 big points. She also the Cool Smashers to their sixth consecutive finals appearance. This is the 23-year-old’s second-straight trip to the finals after playing a pivotal role in Creamline’s 2021 campaign.
Now, with Chery Tiggo already out of contention, the Cool Smashers will face a new team in either Cignal or Petro Gazz.
And this time around, they look to finally capture the franchise’s first-ever professional title.
“Buong team talaga and makikita mo naman eh, kasi nagtatrabaho talaga lahat. So ayon.”
