Tots Carlos shows guts as Creamline survives Cignal in wild finish

PVL

Tots Carlos erupted for a new career-high to steer Creamline to a nail-biting 26-28, 22-25, 25-22, 25-21, 16-14 comeback victory against Cignal in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena.

Carlos scored four of the Cool Smashers’ dramatic 5-0 closing run to record a new career-best of 38 points built on 35 attacks and three blocks as Creamline improved to 6-1 for the solo leadership. 

Cignal, who wasted a two-set lead and three-point lead down the stretch of the deciding set, dropped to 4-2. 

After going 0-2, the wards of Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses regained their footing in the third set with Bernadeth Pons churning out crucial points off the bench before Jema Galanza delivered the point that extended the match into fourth. 

Carlos and Galanza continued to connive in the penultimate set despite multiple comeback attempts from the HD Spikers as they forged a fifth and final frame. 

Creamline had to once again regroup in the fifth set after Ces Molina completed a combination play to send Cignal to the match point, 14-11. Carlos, though, buried two straight points before she tied things up at 14-all.

The former UP standout then punished Cignal with a kill off a one-handed set from Kyle Negrito before Jeanette Panaga rejected Molina’s attack from the right wing to complete the come-from-behind victory. 

Carlos got plenty of help from her teammates with Galanza pouring in a triple-double outing of 14 points, 30 digs, and 11 excellent receptions while Pons and Panaga chipped in 13 and 11 markers apiece. 

Veteran Jovelyn Gonzaga paced Cignal with 22 points alongside 21 digs and 16 receptions while Roselyn Doria and Molina each tallied 19 markers in the losing effort. 

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News