Tots Carlos takes third MVP crown

Tots Carlos took her third Premier Volleyball League Conference MVP trophy with the hard-hitting Creamline frontliner leading five others to the Premier Team in the All Filipino Conference, which came to a close at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday.

The 24-year-old spiker from Lubao, Pampanga emerged as the leading scorer after the semifinals with 152 points, built on 136 spikes, five blocks, and 11 aces.

She was second in spiking efficiency at 37.26-percent and third best server with an average of 0.31. She was also the 10th best digger at a 2.46 average per set and fifth best receiver at an efficiency of 39.07-percent.

The former UP stalwart also led the Premier Team as the best outside spiker, her first for the position after thrice winning the best opposite Spiker honors.

"Sa lahat ng sumusuporta sa Creamline, maraming salamat po. Hindi po namin ito makukuha without the help of my teammates and our fans," said Carlos.

"Para po sa rating lahat ito!"

Joining Carlos, who swept the top honors in last year's Open and Reinforced conferences, in the elite squad are teammates Jema Galanza (best outside spiker), Michele Gumabao (best opposite spiker), and Jia de Guzman (best setter).

Galanza notched her third outside spiker award after claiming the trophies in the 2018 and 2019 Open. The former Adamson hitter was also the seventh leading scorer with 128 points, third most efficient spiker at 35.24-percent, eighth best digger with an average of 2.71, and sixth best receiver with 38.6-percent efficiency.

Gumabao, meanwhile, took her second best opposite spiker award, her first since Reinforced 2018. She was also the third leading scorer with 142 total points, topping the league in spike efficiency at 39.68-percent, and eighth best in average blocks per set with 0.37.

On the other hand, De Guzman won the best setter award for the eighth time. The Ateneo product also led the league in average excellent sets at 7.26, 2.11 sets higher than PLDT's Rhea Dimaculangan.

De Guzman was also the Finals MVP.

"I want to thank my Creamline family. From the players to the coaching staff and the management and also the supporters, hindi kami aabot dito kung wala kayo," said De Guzman, who tossed 18 excellent sets in the title-clinching game.

"Para sa ating lahat ito."

Petro Gazz, the top blocking team in the league, swept the best middle blocker awards with the duo of MJ Phillips and Remy Palma finishing 1-2.

Phillips, who was also the Reinforced 2022 best middle blocker, normed 0.74 while Palma averaged 0.68.

Completing the Premier Team is PLDT's Kath Arado, who was the best digger (7.05 per set) and best receiver (61.23-percent) of the tournament.