Hamstring injuries can linger or worsen.
The Creamline Cool Smashers are already down their best player and heart and soul in Alyssa Valdez, so forgive them if they are being cautious with another one of their key players—Tots Carlos. In fact, Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses did not play Carlos the entire first set in the Cool Smashers’ hard-fought win against the Chery Tiggo Crossovers Saturday night at the PhilSports Arena.
It turns out, the two-time Premier Volleyball League (PVL) MVP is nursing a minor hamstring injury, which she apparently suffered in Creamline’s five-set loss to the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers last Saturday, also at the PhilSports Arena.
“Yes [may iniinda si Tots],” Meneses admitted post-game after Creamline’s bounce back victory. “Kasi nung last game namin medyo hindi maganda yung pag-landing niya, so kahapon lang siya naka-training talaga. Pero nandun naman siya sa mga activity niya sa strengthening.”
Jema Galanza, who starred in the Cool Smashers’ empathic victory over the Crossovers, echoed Meneses’ account—and emphasized Tots’ crucial role at Creamline.
“Kasi nitong week talaga medyo nagka-problem talaga kasi may mga iniinda nga [Carlos],” Galanza said. “Si Tots nga isa sa mga main spikers talaga ng Creamline, nawala ng ilang araw, so kailangan din talaga mag-double time para hindi mahirapan yung buong team.”
Carlos did play against Chery Tiggo, but minus the usual dynamism and ferocity that PVL fans have gotten used to over the years. That is not surprising either, as hamstring injuries tend to linger and can even worsen when not healed fully. And that is why Meneses is taking the long-view approach and staying cautious with Carlos.
“Titignan muna namin yung situation,” said Meneses.
Creamline will be back in action on Tuesday against the Army-Black Mamba Lady Troopers, and Meneses and his staff will likely be plying the wait-and-see game with their star spiker again. After Tuesday, the Cool Smashers will get a week off, giving Carlos more time to rest that ailing hamstring.