“Honestly, it’s been a while since I last played in the Finals, so it feels great to be back,” said Tots Carlos in Filipino, who was sidelined for much of the 2024 season due to knee issues. The Cool Smashers secured a historic championship in her absence.
“I just want to express my gratitude to the team, management, and coaches for supporting me throughout my injury journey. I’m very grateful for their trust, and I’m excited to play again because opportunities like this don’t come often,” she added.
Carlos credited the team’s dedication and hard work for their record-extending 14th Finals appearance in the league organized by Sports Vision.
“Those who work hard get to experience moments like this. The effort we put in every day – especially us who have battled injuries – is now translating into our games. I’m beyond excited and thankful for everyone who supported me,” she said.
On the other hand, Alyssa Valdez, who endured an even longer recovery from her knee injury, shares the same excitement as Carlos in competing for their 11th PVL championship.
“I’m very proud. This is my first time back in the Finals in a while,” said Valdez in Filipino, whose leadership has been instrumental in steering the Cool Smashers to another championship bout.
She highlighted the team’s journey, acknowledging the challenges they faced along the way.
“Every conference, we write a different story of how we make it to the Finals. This one is another chapter, and we’re eager to finish it strong. We’ve faced struggles behind the scenes, but we’ve stuck together, and that’s what we’re counting on to get us through this series,” added Valdez.
With Carlos and Valdez fully recovered, Creamline remains confident despite Jema Galanza’s recent health concerns. The depth of their roster – bolstered by Bernadeth Pons, Bea de Leon, Kyle Negrito, Michele Gumabao, Lorie Bernardo and Rose Vargas – ensures they remain a formidable force against the Petro Gazz Angels.
While Creamline is brimming with confidence, Carlos and Valdez remain wary of the challenge posed by Petro Gazz, particularly with the presence of Fil-American spiker Brooke Van Sickle, Myla Pablo and MJ Phillips, among others.
“It’s always a classic battle whenever we face Petro Gazz in the Finals. We know it’s going to be tough, so we need to work even harder,” said Valdez. “One key thing is listening to our coaches because they see the game from a different perspective. Communication will be crucial, especially in tight moments.”
Carlos emphasized the importance of executing their system under head coach Sherwin Meneses.
“For coach Sherwin’s system to work, teamwork is essential. We don’t have to take every ball – we just need to play our roles effectively. The last time we faced Petro Gazz, we struggled with ball control, so now, our mindset is to cover our areas and play disciplined volleyball,” said Carlos.
Valdez believes the Finals will come down to heart and resilience.
“Both teams have taken different paths to get here. The team that plays with more heart will have the edge. But one thing’s for sure – Creamline will give everything we have,” she said.
Valdez also expressed excitement about facing Pablo in the championship series.
“She’s in peak form and playing with fire. Facing someone with that kind of passion and conditioning is always a challenge, so we’ll have to work even harder to match that intensity,” said Valdez.
For Carlos, stopping Van Sickle will be a key factor in the series.
“The Finals are never decided until the last point is played. Brooke will always be a major threat, but if we stay disciplined and execute our game plan, we can contain her. Mental toughness will be just as important as skill in this series,” she noted.
Regardless of the Finals outcome, Valdez emphasized that the PVL is the ultimate winner, as the league continues to produce thrilling matchups and showcase top-tier volleyball talent.
“It’s proof that the PVL has grown tremendously and continues to develop great teams and players. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a new or veteran team – if you have the heart and determination, you’ll find yourself in the Finals,” she said.
With everything on the line, Creamline and Petro Gazz are set to deliver another unforgettable championship showdown, starting Tuesday in Game 1 of the best-of-three series at the Araneta Coliseum.
