Tots Carlos, one of the most electrifying athletes in Philippine volleyball, has always embraced challenges with grace and determination. As the superstar of the Creamline Cool Smashers and a three-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), Carlos has etched her name in the sport’s history books in the Philippines.
The main wingers of Creamline are all MVPs. The best set of wingers in a team ever! Creamline is the most decorated club team in Philippine volleyball.
— Lucy Cottonmouth #BORNPINK (@lucycottonmouth) September 12, 2024
Alyssa Valdez - Jema Galanza - Tots Carlos - Bernadeth Pons - Michele Gumabao #PVL2024 pic.twitter.com/hNbeqvUmpE
Recently, she embarked on an exciting new journey by entering the 2024 Korean V-League Women’s Asian Quota Draft, hoping to take her talents to a foreign volleyball league and further elevate her game.
Carlos was among three Filipina volleyball standouts, including former PVL MVP Mylene Paat of the Chery Tiggo Crossovers and MJ Phillips of the Petro Gazz Angels, who took a bold step by registering for the prestigious draft. The draft, organized by the Korean Volleyball Federation (KOVO), opened the door for Asian athletes to compete in one of the top volleyball leagues in the region.
Despite the enthusiasm surrounding the event, Carlos and her fellow Filipina hopefuls found themselves undrafted, with no team selecting them during the KOVO Asian Quota Draft. Though it was a disappointment for her fans, the setback hasn’t shaken Carlos’s spirits.
Following the draft, Carlos remained positive and expressed that the experience was invaluable, even if it didn’t result in her getting drafted. Speaking to the media after the event, Carlos shared how enlightening it was to witness firsthand how organized the Korean volleyball league is.
“It was a fun experience, lalo na’t nakita ko kung paano ‘yung program nila sa volleyball sa ibang bansa. Nakita ko rin ‘yung mga iba-ibang players na kasama ko and may mga natutunan din naman ako,” Carlos explained. “Parang core memory ko lang talaga is really how organized the Koreans are in their volleyball league and how they really care for their foreign players.”
For Carlos, it wasn’t just about landing a spot on a team; it was about learning from one of the most well-established volleyball leagues in Asia.
She added, “I just played my volleyball and wala rin naman akong ibang ine-expect. Tall players, they are very tall. Ako, honestly, satisfied ako sa naging performance ko so masaya ako na-experience ko ‘yung ganung opportunity. Talagang nagpapasalamat ako sa mga boss namin at saka kina coach Sherwin Meneses, sa teammates ko na talagang pinayagan ako.”
Carlos’s reflective attitude speaks volumes about her maturity as an athlete. Instead of focusing on the missed opportunity, she emphasized the importance of growth and learning from the experience.
Carlos’s fellow Filipinas, Mylene Paat and MJ Phillips, also went undrafted, leaving many fans and experts surprised. Philippine volleyball is widely regarded as one of the strongest in Southeast Asia, with its top players consistently making waves in both local and international tournaments.
The expectations were high for Carlos, Paat, and Phillips to secure slots in the Korean V-League, especially considering their accomplishments in the PVL and their dominance in the region.
However, the Korean volleyball system places a significant emphasis on height and physicality, which could have influenced the teams’ decisions in the draft. Despite this, Carlos and her fellow hopefuls still view the experience as a positive one. After all, being exposed to the level of competition and organization in Korea can only serve to improve their skills and prepare them for future opportunities.
Despite not getting drafted, Carlos remains hopeful and open to future opportunities to play abroad. As she mentioned in her interview, she is ready to take on any chance that may come her way.
“Yeah, if meron namang chances. Sabi ko nga at the start of this year, if ever meron man akong opportunity sa kahit ano na overseas league, iga-grab talaga,” Carlos affirmed. This mindset of seizing every opportunity speaks to her relentless drive to improve and broaden her horizons as a player.
Carlos’s resilience in the face of setbacks is an inspiration to athletes everywhere. Her willingness to put herself out there, even knowing the risks and potential disappointment, demonstrates her commitment to pushing her boundaries and testing her skills against some of the best in the world.
In addition to her overseas aspirations, Carlos has been a pivotal figure for the Creamline Cool Smashers in the PVL. Despite missing the recent season due to injury, Carlos played an instrumental role in Creamline’s rise to prominence over the past few years.
The Cool Smashers completed the first-ever Grand Slam in PVL history, winning all three titles in one season and securing their place as one of the most dominant teams in the league.
With their Grand Slam victory, Creamline now boasts an impressive 10 titles in just seven years, a remarkable achievement that underscores the team’s consistent excellence. The Cool Smashers have become synonymous with success in Philippine volleyball, and Carlos has been one of the key figures driving that success.
Though she missed out on Creamline’s historic season due to injury, Carlos is expected to make a full recovery and return to action in the upcoming PVL season. Her return will undoubtedly boost the Cool Smashers as they look to continue their dominance in the league.
Carlos’s journey to the KOVO draft reflects a broader trend in the world of volleyball, where more and more athletes are seeking opportunities to play internationally. With leagues in countries like Korea, Japan, and China gaining prominence, players from Southeast Asia and other regions are increasingly looking to test their skills against top competition outside their home countries.
This trend not only benefits the players by exposing them to higher levels of competition but also helps grow the sport globally by fostering greater cross-border engagement and raising the profile of volleyball as a whole.
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