SPORTS
Advocates Philippines
Cignal Crashes PVL Finals Behind Vanie Gandler's Rise
Photo credit: PVL
After two years of grinding, rebuilding, and finding their identity, Cignal HD Spikers are finally where they’ve been aiming all along—the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Finals.
And right at the center of it all? The steady emergence of Vanie Gandler—now not just a reliable scorer, but a full-fledged leader for the Super Spikers.
What started as a promising uptick in performance has turned into something much bigger. Gandler has evolved into Cignal’s go-to weapon, especially when the pressure is at its peak. Whether it’s delivering crucial points or holding the line defensively, she’s become the backbone of a team hungry for its first title.
That growth was on full display when Cignal punched its ticket to the finals with a convincing 25-13, 13-25, 25-16, 25-16 win over Creamline Cool Smashers at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Gandler showed up in a big way, dropping a triple-double performance with 24 points, 10 digs, and 10 excellent receptions—outplaying a Creamline squad stacked with seasoned hitters. It was the kind of performance that didn’t just win a match—it sent a message.
For that standout showing, the former Ateneo de Manila University standout was named PVL Press Corps Player of the Week, a well-deserved nod to her growing impact.
But for Gandler, it’s not just about individual accolades—it’s about the journey.
“We can't explain how deep this is for us, kasi we know how hard we worked for this,” she shared. “I just have so much gratefulness for the team, kasi the player I am today is because of them.”
That team-first mindset has defined Cignal’s rise. According to Gandler, their chemistry and shared hunger have fueled their success.
“The way the team is performing is because we just want the best for each other. It's really not for ourselves—it’s for each other.”
Even in their final semifinals game against PLDT High Speed Hitters—a loss where Gandler saw limited action—Cignal had a bigger picture in mind. The team used the match to give bench players valuable experience ahead of the championship series.
Because for them, it’s not just about reaching the finals—it’s about being ready to win it.
“Our focus isn't that we go to the championship. Our focus is that we train like champions every day,” Gandler explained. “We ask God for a championship. He's gonna give us challenges, but we need to play like we're champions.”
That mindset, paired with belief in each other, has transformed Cignal into a legitimate contender.
“It means the world because I see the qualities of a champion in each one of them. And it's made me a better person and player.”
Gandler topped the Player of the Week race, beating out notable standouts like Bernadeth Pons, Trisha Tubu, and Savi Davison.
Now, all eyes are on the finals.
Game 1 of the best-of-three championship series is set Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum—and if their journey says anything, Cignal isn’t just happy to be there.
They’re coming in ready to fight for the crown.
And right at the center of it all? The steady emergence of Vanie Gandler—now not just a reliable scorer, but a full-fledged leader for the Super Spikers.
What started as a promising uptick in performance has turned into something much bigger. Gandler has evolved into Cignal’s go-to weapon, especially when the pressure is at its peak. Whether it’s delivering crucial points or holding the line defensively, she’s become the backbone of a team hungry for its first title.
That growth was on full display when Cignal punched its ticket to the finals with a convincing 25-13, 13-25, 25-16, 25-16 win over Creamline Cool Smashers at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Gandler showed up in a big way, dropping a triple-double performance with 24 points, 10 digs, and 10 excellent receptions—outplaying a Creamline squad stacked with seasoned hitters. It was the kind of performance that didn’t just win a match—it sent a message.
For that standout showing, the former Ateneo de Manila University standout was named PVL Press Corps Player of the Week, a well-deserved nod to her growing impact.
But for Gandler, it’s not just about individual accolades—it’s about the journey.
“We can't explain how deep this is for us, kasi we know how hard we worked for this,” she shared. “I just have so much gratefulness for the team, kasi the player I am today is because of them.”
That team-first mindset has defined Cignal’s rise. According to Gandler, their chemistry and shared hunger have fueled their success.
“The way the team is performing is because we just want the best for each other. It's really not for ourselves—it’s for each other.”
Even in their final semifinals game against PLDT High Speed Hitters—a loss where Gandler saw limited action—Cignal had a bigger picture in mind. The team used the match to give bench players valuable experience ahead of the championship series.
Because for them, it’s not just about reaching the finals—it’s about being ready to win it.
“Our focus isn't that we go to the championship. Our focus is that we train like champions every day,” Gandler explained. “We ask God for a championship. He's gonna give us challenges, but we need to play like we're champions.”
That mindset, paired with belief in each other, has transformed Cignal into a legitimate contender.
“It means the world because I see the qualities of a champion in each one of them. And it's made me a better person and player.”
Gandler topped the Player of the Week race, beating out notable standouts like Bernadeth Pons, Trisha Tubu, and Savi Davison.
Now, all eyes are on the finals.
Game 1 of the best-of-three championship series is set Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum—and if their journey says anything, Cignal isn’t just happy to be there.
They’re coming in ready to fight for the crown.
Apr 19, 2026
We are dedicated storytellers with a passion for bringing your brand to life. Our services range from news and media features to brand promotion and collaborations.
Interested? Visit our
Contact Us page for more information. To learn more about what we offer, check out our latest article on services and opportunities.
