With Creamline's support system, Tots Carlos continues to leave an imprint on the local volleyball scene.
Creamline needed someone to carry the cudgels versus Akari on Thursday night, and Tots Carlos answered the call.
Carlos shouldered the scoring bulk as she detonated 31 points on an efficient 30-of-55 attacking clip to buoy the Cool Smashers over the Chargers, 25-22, 21-25, 25-22, 25-19, in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
This proved to be the best scoring performance for the three-time league MVP in the professional circuit.
"'Yung nilalaro ko ngayon, even me, 'di ako makapaniwala," bared Carlos.
"Natutuwa ako kasi napakaganda ng laro and sakto lang talaga na 'yung situation ganun, so masaya lang ako na pinagseserbisyuhan si Coach Sherwin (Meneses)."
The 5-foot-9 opposite hitter eclipsed her previous professional career-high of 28 points, which she tallied versus Petro Gazz in the 2022 PVL Open Conference.
Carlos also reset her league-best output of 29 markers, which she posted when she was still with Motolite versus BanKo Perlas in the 2019 PVL Open Conference.
Despite the impressive showing, the 25-year-old stalwart downplayed her performance, even deflecting credit to her ever-supportive team and the throng of fans that flocked the PhilSports Arena.
"Wala namang kaso sa amin kung sino'ng nakaka-score, sino'ng hindi. Tulong-tulong 'yan. Kaya lang nakaka-score 'yung isang player dahil sa tulong ng mga teammates namin," Carlos shared.
"Lagi ko namang sinasabi na kung hindi dahil sa mga tiwala ng teammates, ng mga coaches, ng management, ‘di naman talaga kami mage-excel ng ganito so nagpapasalamat po ako sa lahat ng suporta lalong lalo na yung mga fans sa lahat ng suportang binibigay nila samin," she added.
Never one to get lost on a high, Carlos is still eager to refine her already polished game and learn more as the season progresses.
"Pero 'yun nga, dahil nga sa mga tulong ng mga coaches, kasi grabe talaga 'yung suporta ng mga teammates ko saka ng mga coaches, na walang pressure, training lang lagi, so ako naman, lagi lang akong--gusto ko lang natututo ako palagi sa lahat ng games. Hindi lang naman dumadaan lang 'yung games," the UP product shared.
"Personally, may mga natutunan din naman ako sa mga ganitong sitwasyon, ano'ng gagawin. So 'yon, honestly, gusto ko pang matuto pa. 'Yun po."
With a compelling desire for growth, Carlos has become one of the integral cogs of Creamline's vaunted system. And under her watch, the powerhouse team has been riding the crest of a 17-game winning surge, dating back from their conquest of the Second All-Filipino Conference last year.
Carlos though is not focusing too much on such a streak as the Cool Smashers aim to steadily work their way towards retaining the coveted title.
"Well, ang mindset naman lagi namin na sinasabi ni coach na after one game, tapos na kasi napakahaba nung season, napakadaming team. Every time na matapos namin 'yung isang laro, natapos na 'yung trabaho, mindset na kami into the next game," she said.