FROM one 'Ms. Volleyball' winner to another, Creamline captain Alyssa Valdez has high hopes for her fellow Cool Smasher MVP in Tots Carlos.
The three-time Premier Volleyball League (PVL) MVP was feted by the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) as the best women's volleyball player of 2023 in the annual PSA Awards on Monday evening at the Diamond Hotel.
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Valdez, a four-peat winner of the prestigious award from 2013 to 2016, was present in this year's awards night to support Carlos and receive the Cool Smashers' special citation for an outstanding 2023 season.
"Well, I'm very proud of her. It's always such a honor to be along side amazing women like Tots (Carlos) na talagang representing the country very well also. And we can't wait, I can't really wait to see her grow more and improve her skills more and to be Ms. Volleyball for the longest time din siguro," said Valdez.
Overjoyed by such a recognition, Carlos took pride in being part of a champion team that has always had her back and allowed her to flourish to the top-caliber player that she's grown to become today.
"Just like I always say na grateful ako palagi sa lahat ng mga recognition na natatanggap ng team, natatanggap ng bawat isa sa amin, natatanggap ko so masaya lang din ako na kasama ko sila naglalaro. Champion players, champion team so, ako lagi kong sinasabi na kinicredit ko na di ako nandito kung nasan ako kung hindi dahil sa mga teammates ko and yung mga taong bumubuo sa team."
Carlos added: "Natuwa ako kasi na-rerecognize lahat ng hard work ng team, ng bawat isa sa'min. Sobrang grateful ako kasi sino ba naman mag-aakala na makakakuha ako ng ganitong award. Sobrang thankful ako sa lahat ng bumubuo ng Creamline, lahat ng buong volleyball community, mga fans, at 'yung management namin na talagang sumusuporta sa amin."
Work in progress
With a new season on the horizon and two new Cool Smashers on the rise in former Choco Mucho aces Bea De Leon and Denden Lazaro-Revilla, Carlos is eager to see the reigning champions integrate their newest pieces to their forthcoming title defense.
But she admits, however, that they're still a work in progress.
"We're still working on the system and the team. And 'yun din 'yung lagi naming sinasabi na we're just always ready to give our best every game and we're always ready to play our hearts out for the people, for the fans, at sa lahat ng sumusuporta sa team," Carlos said.
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