VANIE Gandler and Erika Santos could have easily joined ready-made contenders after Cignal’s shock PVL exit.
Instead, the two former MVPs decided to help and build one.
Rather than slotting themselves into already-loaded rosters, Gandler and Santos took their talents to rising Capital1, joining forces with Bella Belen in what suddenly feels like the beginning of the franchise’s brightest era yet.
READ: MVPs Gandler, Santos bring more light to Capital1
And for the Solar Spikers who have had to rely on Belen to almost singlehandedly carry the scoring burden, the arrival of two proven stars instantly changes the equation.
“I wanted to join a team na I’m not just a missing piece. I wanted to be there to build a team with them and to help them write a story,” Gandler said.
“I don’t think we’re missing pieces. I think we’re here to really write a story with Capital1.”
Following the disbandment of the Super Spikers, both Gandler and Santos quickly emerged as among the most sought-after free agents.
But instead of chasing the safest route to contention, they gravitated toward a franchise they believed was already slowly but surely growing - something they saw firsthand from the opposite side of the net before.
“When I was thinking of what team to join, I always felt na I fit best in Capital1. Playing on the other side of the court against them, I saw the growth of the team in the two years that Capital1 has been in the PVL,” she said.
“I saw the potential the team has because I can see it in the way the team owners handle the team and how supportive they are and in the way they communicate to the players.
Capital1 rising
Now, Belen suddenly finds herself flanked by two of the most accomplished scorers, giving the Solar Spikers a new attacking trio capable of matching up against the best of the best.
Still, both Gandler and Santos understand that building a contender requires more than simply stacking talent.
“There’s a lot of expectations and adjustments along the way dahil hindi naman siya basta-basta. Pagtatrabahuan namin and we will help in any way we can nila Vanie and Jaja [Maraguinot] para ma-reach ‘yung goal na maging strong contender ‘yung Capital1,” Santos said.
So Capital1 is choosing patience over pressure.
“Our goal isn’t to right away reach the end. Our goal is to focus on the process. I have no doubt that the team will really focus on the process and get there, one step at a time,” Gandler said.
“The timeline for the championship, I’m not sure, but I know that one day, we’ll get there.”
After years of setting the foundation, the Solar Spikers finally look like a squad that has the greenlight to build legitimate and lasting contention.
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