Foton's Carlos passes test of character

MANILA, Philippines – She may have failed to light up the scoreboard, but Tots Carlos made a very strong first impression when she debuted for Foton in the Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Grand Prix Tuesday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Ranged against bigger, stronger imports, the scoring machine from University of the Philippines saw action midway into the first set and failed to convert a couple of attacks.

Her lone point of the night came from a powerful serve, prompting a good-sized weekday crowd erupt in celebration.

But for Foton coach John Abella, it wasn’t her offense that impressed him.

It was her character.

“She passed her first test,” said Abella shortly after his wards clobbered Sta. Lucia Realty in straight sets to punch a ticket to the semifinals.

“What I loved about her inside the court is her guts. Whether it’s on blocking, spiking, serving, I want to see her character inside the court and I think I saw that during the game.”

Specifically, Abella paid special premium on her blocking.

“I’m always telling her to follow our pattern in blocking,” he said. “And that’s exactly what she did so I think I have to give her a passing mark in her first game.”

 With Carlos and another Lady Fighting Maroon in Isa Molde in the roster for the remainder of the Grand Prix, the Tornadoes suddenly had a massive upgrade.

There’s also a good chance that Jaja Santiago could join them in Game 1 of the best-of-three semifinals against reigning champion F2 Logistics on Tuesday pending the outcome of National University’s Final Four match against De La Salle University this Saturday.

Carlos said she knows it’s still a tough road ahead so she might as well prepare herself.

“Of course, we know that the PSL is different than the UAAP. Here in the PSL, players are bigger and stronger and the competition is very tough.”

“The experience I will gain here will be very important for the next UAAP season.”