Everyone wanted that ball and that point, Tots Carlos said.
A fire was sparked when the Petro Gazz Angels forced a fifth set against the Creamline Cool Smashers in Game 2 of the PVL All-Filipino Conference.
The defending champions nearly had the match in the bag to keep their campaign alive, but crucial errors hounded the Cool Smashers again, and the Angels didn't want to give up just yet, forcing the deciding set.
Something clicked for the girls in pink in that moment. That led to an eight-point barrage, which proved too much for Petro Gazz to overcome.
"Makikita mo talaga lalo na nung fifth set, titignan mo yung teammates mo, alam mo na gustong-gusto namin talaga yung laro," Tots Carlos told reporters after the match. "Makikita mo lahat na humihingi ng bola."
She made 20 points off 17 attacks, along with 22 excellent receptions. Michele Gumabao had 21, while Jema Galanza scored 17.
And it was in the final moments of the last set when Ced Domingo revealed that she can apparently do running attacks. She finished with 14 points.
For Tots Carlos, that fire was fueled by a bond stronger than team camaraderie.
"I think 'yun talagang pinagkukuhanan namin ng lakas, 'yung kung ano meron kami, 'yung relationship namin sa isa't isa, the family we have," she said.
Coach Sherwin Meneses on Monday shared he advised the girls it's okay to be sad after their Game 1 loss last Sunday. But they had to shake it off the next day. Carlos also shared this advice from Meneses, "Basta ibigay niyo lahat, bigay niyo yung best niyo. 'Wag niyong hayaang may matira sa inyo tapos isosoli, tapos magsisisi na 'di binigay yung best namin."
The Cool Smashers will be gunning for their sixth PVL championship when they take on the Angels for the winner-take-all Game 3 this Thursday, March 30, at 5:30 p.m. inside the Mall of Asia Arena.
(With reports from Mei-Lin Lozada, One Sports Digital)