Tots Carlos returns for Creamline. PVL Media Bureau

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – In a rematch of the PVL Reinforced Conference championship battle, it was Creamline which again emerged with the triumph against Akari.

The Cool Smashers dumped the Chargers, 26-24, 25-17, 25-16, on Saturday at the Candon City Arena for their second win in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.

Three-time league MVP Tots Carlos, who has been sidelined due to a knee injury, finally saw PVL action again after four months during the out-of-town match, a game after superstar Alyssa Valdez went back for Creamline.

"Honestly ako, 'di naman ako nag-expect ng kahit ano. Priority ko lang naman palagi is to really enjoy the game. Grateful ako kina coach [Sherwin Meneses] kasi binigyan ako ng chance makapaglaro today," Carlos said.

Carlos bared that players with injuries were taken care of by the Creamline coaching staff.

Valdez also took time to recover, skipping the Reinforced and Invitational Conferences.

"Grateful din ako sa mga coaches kasi inalalayan at inaalagaan nila kaming may mga injuries. ‘Di rin nila kami pine-pressure, so masaya kami na meron kaming ganung klaseng sistema kasi mas namo-motivate kami na makabalik at hindi namadali 'yung mga injuries namin," the UP product said.

READ: PVL: Valdez returns as Creamline opens 5-peat bid by sweeping Petro Gazz

Carlos produced four points in her return, while middle blocker Bea de Leon produced 12 points on an efficient 10-of-13 spiking, and star spiker Jema Galanza led the Creamline firepower with 13 points anchored mostly on attacks.

"Actually, the past few games parang ine-enjoy ko lang din kasi talaga special sa buong team na bumalik si ate Ly [Alyssa Valdez] tsaka si Tottie [Tots Carlos], so ine-enjoy lang din talaga namin together," said De Leon.

READ: Creamline makes history, clinches first-ever PVL Grand Slam

Erika Raagas top-scored with 11 points for the Chargers, who now see themselves with a 2-1 win-loss record.