Cignal’s Vanie Gandler during a PVL All-Filipino Conference game against Petro Gazz.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Thrilled to see Cignal’s recruiting spree, Vanie Gandler embraces a bigger role for her new-look team in the next PVL conference.
Gandler headlined Cignal’s rebuild as the team signed her to a long-term extension following the signing of new HD Spikers Erika Santos, Tin Tiamzon, Heather Guino-o, and Ethan Arce.
READ: Vanie Gandler relishes Alas Pilipinas stint, impressed by Nitura
Vanie Gandler on her new Cignal teammates. #PVL2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/2x2VZtKrq8
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) May 23, 2025
The star outside spiker is currently training with the Alas Pilipinas as part of coach Jorge Souza De Brito’s 33-player wishlist, but seeing Cignal signing major pieces for its redemption tour excites her.
“I haven’t really been training with the team since I’ve been with Alas the past month. But whenever I see the post of the new player and I see them in practice when I visit, it makes my heart so happy,” Gandler told reporters.
“I really think that team Cignal deserves so much, not just us players, but the coaches and the management, we’ve all been sacrificing so much.”
At the start of the All-Filipino Conference, the HD Spikers had to deal with a depleted roster after losing role players who signed to other squads. It was followed by the sudden departure of former league MVP Ces Molina and star middle blocker Ria Meneses in the middle of the season after their contracts expired last December 31.
Cignal finished the preliminaries third but fell to Galeries in the qualifying round and didn’t get past the play-in.
READ: PVL: Title-hungry Vanie Gandler signs long-term deal with Cignal
To begin its rebuild, Cignal made Tiamzon come out of retirement and got a rising star in Santos coming off her stint as a PLDT starting opposite spiker. The squad also signed a veteran spiker in Guino-o from Capital1 and a young middle blocker in Arce from All-Filipino champion Petro Gazz
“I’m so happy that these players chose Cignal because I know that we all have a goal and I know that they can really do great in this team and they’re all gonna be a big asset for all of us,” Gandler said.
With her long-term extension, Gandler is determined to repay Cignal’s trust, vowing to be a better player and leader for the HD Spikers.
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“There is more responsibility for me. But like what they always say, pressure is privilege and you can’t reach greater heights without the risk of failure, without the risk of putting yourself out there. I always tell myself when I get scared: It’s the only way to get better,” Gandler said.
“The greatest athletes, they have to put themselves in a situation where they risk losing big, like what was at stake. But in return, they risked it and it finally worked for them. So you know, I’m gonna keep risking it and learning from all my failures until we finally move forward and get what we’ve been eyeing.”
