Creamline Cool Smashers’ veteran Alyssa Valdez during the PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals against Choco Mucho Flying Titans. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines —After missing their team’s historic Grand Slam feat, Tots Carlos and Alyssa Valdez are back to help the Creamline Cool Smashers chase more achievements in the PVL.
Carlos and Valdez dropped 13 and 11 points, respectively, to lead Creamline back into the All-Filipino Finals after 25-19, 25-15, 25-15 win over sister team Choco Mucho on Thursday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
PVL: Creamline braces for deep Petro Gazz squad led by Van Sickle
From winning all three conferences last year despite missing their three-time MVPs, Creamline will be flexing a full-force line-up against Petro Gazz in a best-of-three finals series starting on Tuesday.
“It’s been a while. I’ve missed a few conferences, so it feels really good to be back,” said Carlos in Filipino. “I’m just so grateful. I want to thank the team, management, and coaches for supporting me during my recovery. I’m incredibly thankful for all the support I received.”
Creamline Cool Smashers’ star Tots Carlos in the PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“I’m excited because opportunities like this don’t come often. It’s for those who work hard, and we’re glad to see all the effort, especially from those of us who’ve been injured, paying off. I’m really looking forward to it and thankful to everyone who’s had my back.”
Valdez, meanwhile, has mixed emotions about returning after a challenging recovery.
READ: PVL: Brooke Van Sickle ready for tough Finals battle vs Creamline
“Honestly, my body feels like it can keep going, but mentally, it’s been tough being on the sidelines dealing with injuries. I have so much respect for athletes who’ve worked so hard to get back on the court,” said Valdez.
“I just want to be 100% both physically and mentally, and I know I’m still a work in progress. I’ve come a long way, but there’s still more to do.”
Carlos said they will continue to rely on coach Sherwin Meneses’ system and teamwork with Kyle Negrito, Bernadeth Pons, Bea De Leon, and Pangs Panaga as they face Petro Gazz in their drive for a fifth consecutive All-Filipino Conference title.
“Coach Sherwin’s system relies on teamwork. We don’t need to take every ball, especially when it’s not ours. In our last game against Petro Gazz, we struggled because we couldn’t control the ball. So, this time, we just focused on doing our part and getting the ball when it’s our turn,” said the star opposite hitter.
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“That’s always been the case with Creamline — it’s all about the team. And that’s not changing now.”
