Tots Carlos is grateful to be back in action for the Creamline Cool Smashers in their first game back after the PVL All-Filipino break.
In their first game back after the holiday break, Tots Carlos also returned to the Creamline Cool Smashers lineup after missing out on the team’s final two games in 2024.
The three-time Conference MVP played just two sets in Creamline’s straight-sets win over the Capital1 Solar Spikers, 25-19, 25-19, 25-18, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig on Tuesday, January 21.
Still, Carlos finished with 10 markers for the Cool Smashers, just behind Jema Galanza, who had 12 points in the win.
After the match, the Creamline superstar expressed her gratitude to the team for allowing her to fully recover from her knee injury, which forced her to miss the 2024 Reinforced and Invitational Conferences.
“We’re happy and grateful na kahit wala kami nandiyan ‘yung mga teammates and coaches namin na sumusuporta samin. They’re very generous enough for giving me time to really take my time na mag-recover,” Carlos said during the post-game press conference.
“Grateful ako na meron kaming ganitong klaseng environment and meron kaming ganitong klaseng suporta galing sa management and coaches na hindi kami minamadali, na gusto namin lahat kami healthy,” she added.
Prior to the game, the former UP standout last played during Creamline’s out-of-town match against the Akari Chargers last November 23.
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But even after putting up solid numbers in the clean sweep, Carlos admitted that she’s still a “work in progress.”
“I think work in progress in terms of makakalaro na wala masyadong masakit or makakalaro na confident ako sa lahat ng galaw ko. Siguro at this point nasa 70 or 80 percent ‘yung injury [recovery] ko. ‘Yun pa ‘yung tinatrabaho namin,” Carlos explained.
Despite missing out on the Cool Smashers’ Grand Slam run last year, the 26-year-old outside hitter bared that she never felt any pressure from the team to return right away.
[ALSO READ: Returning Tots Carlos not rushing to get back to MVP form for Creamline]
For Carlos, it’s all about being fully healthy and being ready to give her 100 percent to the team, understanding that Creamline’s system will deliver them success.
“‘Yung volleyball naman namin hindi naman siya one man eh, it’s really teamwork. Meron kami kanya-kanyang roles so hindi kami mahihirapan, hindi namin kailangan mag-overlap sa isa’t isa to like do whatever we want,” said Carlos.
“My mindset lang lagi is to really perform 100%, kung hanggang saan ko kaya kasi alam ko may mga naka-suporta sakin.”