Three-time PVL Conference MVP Tots Carlos is taking her on-court return one step at a time as she looks to contribute any way she can for the 5-peat seeking Creamline Cool Smashers.
Tots Carlos is officially back for the Creamline Cool Smashers in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
The three-time PVL Conference MVP made her return during the Cool Smashers’ sweep of the Akari Chargers on Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur.
In her first game back after four months, Carlos contributed four points as she focused solely on getting the feel of the taraflex once more.
“Honestly ako, di naman ako nag-expect ng kahit ano. Ako naman, priority ko lang naman palagi is to really enjoy the game. Grateful ako kina coach kasi binigyan ako ng chance makapaglaro today,” Carlos told reporters after the match.
Carlos had been dealing with an undisclosed knee injury which forced her to sit out Creamline’s Grand Slam run during the 2024 Reinforced and Invitational Conferences.
Now finally back on the court, the 26-year-old superstar spiker is taking things one game at a time, expressing her gratitude to the Cool Smashers’ coaching staff for their patience throughout her injury recovery.
“Grateful din ako sa mga coaches kasi inalalayan at inaalagaan nila kaming may mga injuries. ‘Di rin nila kami pine-pressure, so masaya kami na meron kaming ganung klaseng sistema kasi mas namo-motivate kami na makabalik at hindi namadali yung mga injuries namin,” said Carlos.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Creamline stars Alyssa Valdez, Tots Carlos share recovery updates ahead of new season]
With a long season ahead for Creamline in its 5-peat bid in the All-Filipino Conference, Carlos is not putting much pressure on herself to get back to the MVP form everyone knows her for.
“Of course, I wanted to be back as soon as I can. Nakakatuwa kasi sina coach, di naman kami minamadali. But also yung pressure, sarili na lang namin pine-pressure namin,” said Carlos.
“Siyempre, sa team, mahaba yung season so kailangan naming mag-ikot ng mga tao para hindi mauubos yung mga tao. Ginagawa namin ‘yung best namin para makabalik agad,” she added.
Carlos will have plenty of time to prepare for the Cool Smashers’ next match which will be against their sister team, the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, on Dec. 3 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.