Vanie Gandler is set to make her pro debut with Cignal HD Spikers. –CIGNAL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Vanie Gandler showed excitement in joining the Cignal HD Spikers in the Premier Volleyball League and learning under veteran coach Shaq Delos Santos.
In an interview with The Game, Gandler expressed her interest in playing under the veteran coach in her big leap from college to the professional level of play.
“Before joining the team, of course I asked him his expectations from me and I could really see that I could learn a lot from him,” the Ateneo product said.
“I’ve also heard a lot of things about him and I know that he’s a great coach, so I’m really excited to work under him.”
The outside hitter formally announced her commitment with the HD Spikers on Thursday.
She cited “going out of her comfort zone” as one of the reasons for her joining Cignal.
Since joining the HD Spikers, Gandler already joined team practices, which she referred to as “great.”
“It was great. Before practice, I was actually super scared because I’m the first Atenean of the women’s volleyball team of Cignal so I don’t really know anyone, but as soon as I stepped in there, they were very welcoming.”
Gandler, of course, was not the only Atenean to make the leap from the UAAP to the PVL in recent days with Faith Nisperos joining the Akari Chargers last week.
Gandler will be joining the likes of HD Spikers Ces Molina, Roselyn Doria and Rachel Anne Daquis as Cignal aims to bounce back after missing out on a podium finish in the recently-concluded PVL All-Filipino Conference.