Vanie Gandler relishes Alas Pilipinas stint, impressed by Nitura

Vanie Gandler during a contract signing with Cignal HD Spikers ahead of the new PVL conference. –HANDOIUT

MANILA, Philippines — Vanie Gandler is embracing being part of Alas Pilipinas’ talent-rich outside spiker pool, giving special praise to standout newcomer and UAAP Rookie of the Year Shaina Nitura.

Gandler is part of the national pool for the second time after providing a spark off the bench in Alas’ three bronze medals in the AVC Challenge Cup and two SEA V.League legs last year.

READ: PVL: Title-hungry Vanie Gandler signs long-term deal with Cignal

For the face of the Cignal HD Spikers, getting a call-up to play for the flag is not just a chance to compete internationally—it’s an opportunity to get better while fighting for a spot on the final roster.

“It’s been great. We’re a lot now—finally. For the first few weeks of practice, we were only like four to six players, so it was quite difficult. But now, we’re a lot more and slowly the team is jelling more,” said Gandler during her long-term contract extension with Cignal on Friday at TV5 Media Center.

Vanie Gandler relishes her training with the new Alas Pilipinas pool. #PVL2025 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/4enVjhG9qO

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 23, 2025

“I’m happy to be alongside such great players again. Our outside hitter pool—I’m with Eya (Laure), Angel Canino, Bella Belen, Shaina Nitura, and then there’s me. It’s such a privilege. Wow, I’m playing alongside such great players, and it really motivates me, especially seeing players that are younger than me. They’re so amazing,” she added.

READ: Alas Pilipinas joins VTV Cup; Petro Gazz ‘didn’t meet deadline’

Gandler already played with Canino, Laure, and Belen last year. But one player who caught her attention was the Adamson rookie, who set a new scoring record of 371 points in a single season.

“Shaina—I have such high respect for her because she’s really such a great player. Even though she hasn’t had as much experience yet as a normal player would have, she’s already so good, and I’m excited to see her development,” the PVL star said.

Alas coach Jorge Souza De Brito is still awaiting another star outside spiker in two-time PVL MVP Brooke Van Sickle, whom he expects to attend next week with La Salle trio Canino, Shevana Laput, and Amie Provido.

Gandler has been training over the past weeks with fellow mainstays Jia De Guzman, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Dell Palomata, Jennifer Nierva, Julia Coronel, Fifi Sharma, and Thea Gagate, as well as newcomers Lams Lamina, Cla Loresco, MJ Phillips, Maddie Madayag, Jeanette Panaga, Mars Alba, and Tia Andaya.

The 24-year-old Gandler is enjoying her time learning from the top players in the country.

“I love being in the national team because of the competition. Even in practice, you learn so much and really strive to be better,” she said.