CREAMLINE flexed its championship pedigree in a masterful five-set reverse-sweep of Cignal, 26-28, 22-25, 25-22, 25-21, 16-14, in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena.
The defending champions rode on Tots Carlos’ career-high 38 points on 35 attacks and three blocks, including four of the last five points from 11-14 down in Set 5 — setting a new pro volleyball scoring record for a local player.
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“Grateful ako na merong mga ganitong opportunity. Pero ‘yun nga, paulit-ulit kami na kahit sino pang maka 38 points, kahit sino pang maka-55 points, walang prolema basta nanalo yung team so wala kami talagang problema kasi ‘yun nga, number one priority talaga namin ‘yung team,” said Carlos.
"'Yung mga ganitong opportunity, masaya lang din talaga ako pero at the end of the day, mas nakakatuwa kasi panalo 'yung team," she added.
Alongside Creamline's rise from two sets down were season-high numbers across the board, led by the team's 100 excellent digs (30 from Jema Galanza) and Kyle Negrito's 35 excellent sets.
Carlos got much-needed scoring support from Bernadeth Pons (13 points) and Pangs Panaga (11 points) to save the Cool Smashers from what could've been their second straight-sets loss of the season.
The three-time PVL MVP eclipsed reigning MVP Sisi Rondina's 33-point pro scoring benchmark in Game Two of last year's Finals and erased Creamline skipper Alyssa Valdez' non-pro record of 37 points seven years ago - as Carlos went six shy of import Prisilla Rivera's all-time 44-piece for Akari.
Jovelyn Gonzaga's 22 points and 19 markers apiece from Vanie Gandler and Chay Troncoso paced a tough five-set meltdown from two sets up and, later, three match points up in the tiebreak.
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