Tots Carlos made a triumphant return to action as Creamline secured its fifth consecutive victory at the expense of Capital1, 25-19, 25-19, 25-18, in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Carlos, who missed the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference due to a knee injury, made her conference debut on November 23 against Akari but missed their next two matches because of load management.
The three-time PVL MVP, despite sitting out the entire second set, steered the Cool Smashers past a gutsy Solar Spikers to upgrade its standing to 5-0. Carlos finished with 10 points built on eight attacks in her comeback.
“Of course we’re happy and grateful kasi kahit wala kami nandiyan yung teammates and coaches namin na sumusuporta sa’min,” said Carlos.
Creamline had to fend off a tough Capital1 side in the first two sets before running away late in the third to complete the win and at the same time spoil the debut of Trisha Genesis with the Solar Spikers.
“Syempre thankful ako sa mga players, sa dalawang nagbabalik na mga key players namin,” said Cool Smashers head coach Sherwin Meneses, referring to Carlos and team captain Alyssa Valdez.
“Happy kami kasi nagiging mas healthy yung team nakmin lalo na mahaba yung cofnerence, talagang kailangan tulong tulong talaga sa paglalaro. Happy ako kasi nakabalik na sila, yun yung number one,” he added.
(C) PVL Images
Jema Galanza top-scored for the Cool Smashers with 12 points on 10 attacks and two aces to go along with 10 excellent digs and five excellent receptions, while Kyle Negrito steered the team’s balanced offensive attack with 14 excellent sets.
Bea De Leon and Valdez also came through in the one-hour, 27-minute victory with eight and seven points, respectively, while veteran opposite spiker Michele Gumabao tallied six points off the bench.
Creamline will look to sustain its momentum on Tuesday when they take on Nxled, 4:00 p.m. at the same venue.
On the other hand, the Solar Spikers suffered their second consecutive defeat to fall to 1-5 in the standings.
(C) PVL Images
Genesis dazzled in her debut with 10 points to go along with five excellent receptions, but it was not enough as Capital1 continued to struggle in the all-local tilt. Team skipper Jorelle Singh and Rovie Instrella added seven and six markers in the loss.
The Solar Spikers aim to return to the win column on Saturday, 6:30 p.m. against ZUS Coffee.
