DASMARIÑAS — Tots Carlos was dealt a double whammy over the last two years, having to go through two separate six-month knee injury layoffs.
The three-time PVL MVP was visibly in pain during Creamline’s championship celebrations in Game 2 of the 2024 All-Filipino Conference finals in May last year.
She’d briefly return to action in the succeeding edition of all-Filipino conference half a year later — coincidentally also against Akari — in a winning effort in Candon City.
READ: Creamline's opening five-set loss to Akari a good omen?
Nearly an exact carbon copy of Carlos’ 2024 injury spell unraveled this year. Only this time, both her last game before getting hurt again and her first game back six months later both ended in defeat.
The 27-year-old winger last played in the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference finals rubber match that Creamline lost to Petro Gazz in April.
Her November comeback in another out-of-town game against Akari, one where she scored 12 points as a starter, saw Creamline lose to its 2024 Reinforced Conference title rival for the first time after winning their first nine meetings.
To experience the same misfortunes twice in as many years was a ‘complicated’ ordeal, as Carlos put it, and demanded her to stay the course amid her personal frustrations.
“It was a bit complicated kasi, ‘yung injury ko. We had to figure out talaga kung ano ‘yung magwo-work sa’kin,” Carlos said.
“It took a lot of patience and discipline to get back. When you have injuries, it’s very frustrating so you just really have to be patient.
"I learned a lot with everything that happened with my injuries. That’s one way to look at the other side naman so I’m happy naman na nakabalik na rin ako.”
Actions demand reactions
Now returning to a Creamline team in the midst of a franchise-worst three-tournament title drought, being dealt a comeback loss reminded Carlos of what it will take for the league’s winningest team to regain its winning mojo.
“It wasn’t an easy game but honestly, I appreciate the team for really working hard. Hindi madali ‘yung game kasi maganda naman talaga nilaro ng Akari and everyone’s working sa team nila,” she said.
“May mga naging crucial errors din kami na nakapatay ng momentum [kaya] we just really have to react sa kung anong ginagawa ng kabilang team.”
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