IF there is one big takeaway that Vanie Gandler learned from her recent stints with Alas Pilipinas, it was a renewed appreciation for chemistry and composure.
Those two traits have become second nature for Cignal amid its steady rise.
With the national team keeping much of its core intact since 2024, Gandler saw firsthand how continuity breeds cohesion, allowing teams to settle into games regardless of venue or crowd sentiment.
READ Surprising Cignal quick to burst Choco Mucho bubble
Those same traits were on full display on Thursday night when the Super Spikers overcome a souped-up Choco Mucho and a a hostile, purple-heavy crowd to pull off a 25-20, 16-25, 25-19, 25-18 win.
Even as chatter around the league continues to focus on Cignal’s relatively muted offseason, Gandler made it clear that the team’s biggest edge lies in familiarity and trust built over time.
“The big thing, of course, with volleyball, is that we really need to connect with each other,” she said.
“We always had the right players. We just needed to know how to utilize each player and I’m happy that even if it’s just slowly, we’re getting there and our connection is definitely improved compared to last year.”
That bond proved crucial when momentum swung Choco Mucho’s way and the 2,717-strong crowd at the Playtime Filoil Centre threatened to tip the balance.
Instead of folding, Cignal leaned into chemistry molded by exposure in high-pressure situations in the past.
“It’s really just about being mature and how to stay steady when pressure rises,” Gandler said. “When you go out there, there’s a lot of fear but you should just really want to perform the best you can.”
For a Super Spikers side that chose continuity over noise, the payoff is becoming increasingly evident, one composed performance at a time.
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