Creamline star spiker Tots Carlos in action. PVL Media Bureau

MANILA, Philippines – The 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference Finals will be a test of mental toughness, according to Creamline star spiker Tots Carlos.

Creamline arranged a Finals clash with Petro Gazz Thursday, eliminating sister team Choco Mucho in the process, 25-19, 25-15, 25-15, at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

For Carlos, as affirmed by coach Sherwin Meneses, the championship round will be a battle of who's more hard-headed as the two teams — which are both veterans — do not lack the experience.

READ: PVL: Creamline sets up Finals showdown with Petro Gazz

"‘Yung Finals, dalawang veteran teams, so I think ‘yung mental toughness din talaga ‘yung magiging basehan," said Carlos after the match.

It's important to recover from Brooke Van Sickle's fiery attacks in-game, said Carlos as she anticipates another outstanding performance from the reigning All-Filipino Conference MVP.

"For Brooke [Van Sickle], I think every game naman, palagi 'yan maglalaro — at maglalaro siya. I think ‘yun nga, kami naman, kung gagawin namin ‘yung trabaho namin, I think mapipigilan naman din namin siya. It’s just that mental game din talaga eh," said the former PVL MVP.

READ: PVL: Brooke Van Sickle already 'gearing up and mentally preparing' for Creamline in Finals

"Kapag naisahan ka rin, kailangan mo din talaga mag-reset, bumalik sa trabaho muna," the product of University of the Philippines said.

For Meneses, Petro Gazz and Creamline are somehow "equally matched," although the Cool Smashers have an advantage — the never backing down heart and passion of a champion.

"I think match naman talaga 'yung Petro Gazz and Creamline kasi 1-1 sila this conference pero siguro — kasi pareho senior team eh, parehas veteran teams," said Meneses.

"Talagang halos wala ring bago doon sa lineup nila so I think maganda talagang laban sa finals. Pero I think lamang ang — siyempre, Creamline kami, hindi kami basta-basta magpapatalo," he added.

"'Yun 'yung number one sa amin, na ma-defend 'yung crown, so tatrabahuhin namin nang mabuti."

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