Rookie Vanie Gandler focused on helping Ateneo, not UAAP hype

Vanie Gandler on handling the rookie pressure heading into the UAAP Season 81. | @BLozadaINQ #UAAPSeason81Volleyball pic.twitter.com/AnqF0gsBt8

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 1, 2019

MANILA, Philippines—There’s usually hype that comes with being an Atenean prospect in the UAAP.

From the likes of Kiefer Ravena, Thirdy Ravena, Alyssa Valdez, and Bea De Leon, spotlights are usually focused on an Eagle youngster and Vanie Gandler is about to receive such treatment once the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball tournament rolls off.

Gandler is seen as one of the better players of in her batch that has Eya Laure, Lycha Ebon, and Nicole Magsarile, but it’s that Atenean limelight that’s shining brightly above.

But despite the early hype, Gandler said she’s ready for it and that she’s not thinking too much of the off-court ballyhoo.

“Of course, it’s pressuring me in a way because the crowd is really different from high school’s so it’s definitely scary to play in a larger gym,” said Gandler Friday at Blue Eagle Gym in Ateneo.

“I don’t want to let my team down but I don’t want to think of the pressure too much.”

Gandler, who played high school volleyball at De La Salle Zobel, already got a taste of the potential crowd that’s about to watch her in the UAAP when she and the rest of the Lady Eagles played in the Premier Volleyball League.

The Lady Eagles had a fairly successful run in the Open Conference having reached the finals but eventually lost to former Queen Eagle Alyssa Valdez and Creamline.

“The PVL was good exposure for sure,” said Gandler. “Like I said the crowd is really different and at least I got a taste of how it’ll be.”