TOTS Carlos is okay with taking a cautious approach in her return to Creamline in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference after a four-month layoff to recover from an undisclosed knee injury.
With only three starts in six matches played, the three-time PVL MVP has learned to appreciate her diminished role for the star-studded Cool Smashers where she has only normed a meager 6.4 points per game.
She might not play as frequently as she used to, but her new role in the team now puts a premium on delivering quality minutes even at a limited capacity.
“Siyempre less playing time, kumbaga ‘yung bugbog sa tuhod, mas less din naman,” Carlos said.
“Na-aappreciate ko ‘yung ganung sistema ni coach Sherwin (Meneses) na alam niya kung kailan kami ipapahinga and alam niya kailan kami papalaruin kasi nga constant naman ‘yung communication namin pagdating sa conditioning."
Four years into her Creamline stint, her familiarity with how Meneses handles the champion team has bred not only success but also trust that runs deep on and off the court.
“Natutuwa ako kasi si coach Sherwin, alam na niya paano kami gamitin and alam na niya kung kailan bawal magpahinga. Bawal magpahinga kasi (playoffs) na,” Carlos said.
“We execute naman kapag games na and alam niya na ibibigay namin yung 100 percent namin.”
Following her conference-best 18-piece to end prelims play against Galeries Tower, Carlos delved further on what she described as a renewed approach where it becomes her goal to grow slow and steady with caution.
READ: Creamline secures top seed in playoffs after sweep of Galeries
“Medyo iba na ‘yung mindset ko since I came from an injury, of course. Mino-monitor ko na rin kasi lagi ‘yung progress ko. Every loss naman namin, every game it’s a learning (experience) for me and natutuwa ako na may mga progress ako na nakikita sa sarili ko,” she said.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
