VANIE Gandler and Cignal are aspiring to make a deep playoff run in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference despite being shorthanded.
READ PVL 2025 PREVIEW: Where each team stands as All-Filipino resumes
Gandler hopes the second-running HD Spikers can still finish the remainder of prelims play on a strong note, although he spoke before the team's manpower shortage was worsened by the departures of veteran aces Ces Molina and Riri Meneses.
“There's a lot to look forward to in 2025. We still have six more games. We still have a lot of chances to make it to the next round,” said Gandler shortly after Cignal's final match of 2024 against Petro Gazz.
“We're looking forward to the opportunity that we have and the opportunity right now is still very big.”
Gandler is the HD Spikers' second-leading scorer after Molina midway through the elimination round with 50 total points on 21.5 percent spiking efficiency in their 4-1 start.
She knows full well, though, that it’ll take more than just her own efforts to keep Cignal in the title race.
The odds might be stacked against the depleted HD Spikers, but Gandler believes there’s enough time to clean up their act after ending 2024 with their first loss of the season to Petro Gazz in straight sets.
“We're not happy about the loss, but we're still happy and proud of our standing, and it's still far from over,” Gandler said.
“Our connection [against Petro Gazz] was a bit messy, but we're glad that we saw what we need to work on, which is a lot. Individually, like me, my offense, and our connection with the pattern, the blocking pattern, the deep floor defense [still need work]."
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