BACARRA, ILOCOS NORTE — Tots Carlos did not seem her usual self when Creamline opened its semis campaign against Petro Gazz in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference on Sunday.
The Cool Smashers were actually on their way to clinching the opening set after putting up a 23-20 advantage. Then the Angels fought back and tied the ball game at 23-all.
Alyssa Valdez kept Creamline afloat, but the 23-year-old Carlos committed three crucial errors. She allowed the Angels to snatch the 1-0 advantage.
The UP product was pulled back to the bench in the third set and was quickly replaced by Jema Galanza.
A refreshed Carlos eventually made her way back to the Taraflex and delivered the crucial hits in the fifth set. And she has coach Tai Bundit’s ‘Happy-Happy’ mantra to thank for it.
“Nakita niyo naman nung first set, medyo bumaba’yung laro ko,” shared Carlos after Creamline overcame a set deficit to win the Game One of the PVL semis through a 27-29, 25-23, 16-25, 25-17, 16-14 outcome.
“So kinalma ko talaga ‘yung sarili ko. Nag-meditation ako, nag-relax ako, composure, lahat ng pwede gawin para kumalma.”
The 5-foot-9 opposite hitter scored eight in the Cool Smashers’ 16-point output in the decider. She eventually ended up with 23 points.
“Nung fifth set, nung pinasok na ‘ko, ginawa ko lang talaga kung ano ‘yung… Sobrang saya ko lang talaga ‘pag naglalaro, so ‘yung movement, everything, tuloy-tuloy lang,” said the former Motolite stalwart.
“So nakakatuwa kasi ‘yung mantra ni Coach Tai na happy happy, sobrang effective talaga for me. And ‘yun nga, ‘pag masaya ka talaga, iba talaga ikikilos mo sa court,” she expressed.
After seeing Petro Gazz’s star-studded cast in full swing today, Carlos knows that the team will be back with vengeance in Game Two.
And she vows to do whatever it takes for Creamline to make the finals.
“Petro Gazz, knowing na sila talaga ‘yung contender ng Creamline from the last leagues, I’m sure babawi ‘yan,” said Carlos.
“So same pa rin the mindset of the team, lalo na ngayon medyo nahihirapan kami [sa] ‘yung mga lapses namin. I’m sure ‘yun ‘yung pag-uusapan namin when we get back to our hotel.”
