Vanie Gandler picks up where she left off, leads Cignal win

Cignal HD Spikers’ Vanie Gandler.–PNVF PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Vanie Gandler led Cignal to an impressive 28-26, 25-19, 27-25 win over Chery Tiggo in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Champions League on Sunday evening at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Coming off an impressive rookie season in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), Gandler showed a glimpse of her lethal form in her upcoming second year in the pros as she delivered 15 points including four aces.

The Cignal rising star put on the finishing touches in the extended third set, nailing the game-winning ace to spoil Aby Maraño and Ara Galang’s debut for Chery Tiggo in one hour and 43 minutes.

“I’m very happy, of course, and very tired. But like coach said, the preparation was really short so we really had to get this win,” said Gandler. “There’s also so much that we need to fix so we’re not gonna settle for this win.”

“There’s definitely still so much to work on. We’re just halfway through our preparations and there’s still so much to learn. But of course, you could see that our team is slowly coming together, especially from the last conference and hopefully it’s enough coming into the PVL, as well,” she added.

Cignal HD Spikers.–PNVF PHOTO

Ces Molina also shone for the HD Spikers with 13 points. Toni Basas stepped up with nine points, while Jacqueline Acuna had four blocks to finish with seven points.

Gandler lauded their new libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig, who had an impressive debut for the HD Spikers.

“It’s such a big impact that ate Dawn has on this team. I think one thing that people don’t know is how vocal of a leader she is, which is super helpful in our team,” said Gandler. “I’m just so shocked and starstruck with ate Dawn. She really teaches me, she corrects us, and she also asks us for help so it’s really nice because we all work as one.”

Cignal coach Shaq Delos Santos was pleased with his first game coaching Catindig since the 2019 Southeast Asian Games as she helped Cignal join Petro Gazz on top of the Champions League before they clash on Monday at 6 p.m.

“She impacts the team in a big way. She gives her teammates security knowing that she will be there to save the ball. It’s really nice to have a player like Dawn, who plays simple yet very effective,” Delos Santos said in Filipino.

Chery Tiggo leaned on Mylene Paat, who had 16 points. Eya Laure chipped in nine points, while Galang and Maraño scored five and four points, respectively.