VANIE Gandler reminded PVL fans that even with new names grabbing the headlines for Cignal, she won’t be a mere footnote in the Super Spikers’ flawless start to the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
When her number was called, Gandler didn’t just answer. She took over.
The 25-year-old winger detonated her first league triple-double with 25 points, 15 receptions and 14 digs as Cignal survived a tense four-set duel against Farm Fresh on Tuesday.
READ: Cignal sustains hot start to PVL AFC after dispatching Farm Fresh
There were murmurs and doubts surrounding Gandler during her recent stints with Alas Pilipinas, criticisms that questioned her consistency and impact.
But beneath the noise, she quietly sharpened her game, refusing to let outside chatter define her role or ceiling.
Returning to PVL action just weeks after SEA Games duty, even lingering stomach issues couldn’t slow her down. Instead, she came back sharper, more assertive, and visibly hungry.
“It’s really just the experiences that I’ve had, and of course, the environment that I have [with Cignal] to always improve,” Gandler said.
“My improvement is with the help of my teammates, my coaches. I’m grateful for everything that they teach me and that my teammates give me confidence every time.”
That trust within the Super Spikers’ camp has been evident.
With Erika Santos sustaining her preseason MVP form, Tin Tiamzon rediscovering her old bite and Ishie Lalongisip making strides in her sophomore year, Gandler took on a more holistic role that goes beyond producing points.
“If I’m in the front row with scoring and back row defense, I don’t really think of the stats. It’s just where else I can help the team to get this win,” she said.
Whether it’s absorbing pressure in reception, digging out impossible balls or delivering timely kills, Gandler has leaned into the details that often decide tight matches.
It’s a philosophy shaped by maturity and reinforced by a system that values collective execution over individual shine.
And despite a red-hot start that has Cignal firmly atop the standings, Gandler is quick to keep things grounded.
“After every win, we’re back to zero. The game is done,” she said.
For a Super Spikers side chasing consistency as much as results, that reset mentality embodied by one of its most reliable pillars might be just as valuable as any triple-double.
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