Tots Carlos made up for lost time with Creamline after the 2024 KOVO Asian Quota Tryouts and Draft, leading the Cool Smashers over the Petro Gazz Angels in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals.
Just before the crack of dawn on Thursday, May 2, at around 1:30 a.m., Tots Carlos got back to the Philippines.
Carlos had just completed a three-day trip to Jeju Island, South Korea, for the 2024 Korean V-League (KOVO) Women's Asian Quota Tryouts, where she unfortunately went undrafted. The intense grind had likely taken its toll on her body and mind, but she returned with a renewed drive and a clear mission — to make up for lost time with the Creamline Cool Smashers.
[ALSO READ: PVL stars MJ Phillips, Tots Carlos, and Mylene Paat go undrafted in 2024 KOVO Asian Quota Draft]
Having missed the opening day of the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals, where the Cool Smashers lost to the Choco Mucho Flying Titans for the first time that pushed their title-retention hopes in jeopardy, Carlos knew she had to suit up and deliver against the Petro Gazz Angels hours after returning home.
The three-time league MVP did just that, as the defending champions repulsed the Angels with a hard-fought victory, 27-25, 23-25, 27-25, 26-24, living to fight another day.
“It was my choice to go there, and I’m grateful enough, really grateful for the management to really let me grab that opportunity. Grateful sa coaches ko, sa teammates namin na wala akong narinig na kahit ano na kahit may mami-miss akong isang game,” said Carlos, who poured 21 points in the all-important win.
“So I know na kahit hindi na ako sabihan nina coach, they expect me to really play today, and really deliver,” she continued.
“‘Yun, masaya lang din ako kasi kahit galing ako doon, pinalaro ako nina coach na talagang 'yung tiwala nila sa akin, ‘di talaga nawawala. Masaya lang ako sa mga ganung klaseng tao na nakapaligid sa akin.”
[ALSO READ: PVL: Jema Galanza, Creamline rise above doubts, bank on trust to defeat Petro Gazz]
With Carlos' help, Creamline pumped life into its title-retention bid with a 1-1 record in the round-robin semifinals, tying with its recent victim Petro Gazz.
With the chance of reaching the finals still within grasp, Carlos and the Cool Smashers are determined to leave it all on the court as they face the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, the team who ended their historic 19-game winning streak. This crucial bout will take place on Sunday, May 5,
“I’m sure yung bawa’t isa sa amin, gusto ring makabawi, and we’ll make sure na may natutunan kami doon sa loss namin doon sa eliminations. Pagdating naman sa semis, sabi ni coach lagi na 0-0 na yan, so kung ano yung nakaraan, kalimutan na. Magpe-prepare kami,” Carlos vowed.
The game will air on One Sports, One Sports+, and the Pilipinas Live app.