Dawn Catindig and Vanie Gandler made their much-anticipated return to Cignal, leading by example in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Invitational.
Rejoining a squad that had been struggling through a tough stretch, the two veterans provided the steadiness and leadership the HD Spikers sorely needed. Their presence helped Cignal finally break its losing skid and secure a crucial victory.
“We have to show the kids that kahit anong mangyari, kahit anong sitwasyon ang ibigay sa’yo, you have to be playing consistent,” said Catindig, 29, who returned a game earlier than Gandler.
“Like what Ate Dawn said, my mindset isn’t to change them but make sure that I do what I have to do. Not just in games — in practice, outside of practice, so that they see that we’re doing our jobs and this is what will help,” added the 24-year-old winger.
With the two leaders back, Cignal rediscovered its winning form, defeating ZUS Coffee in four sets, 22-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-19, to keep its slim finals hopes alive in the six-team tournament.
Catindig anchored the floor defense with 18 excellent digs and 15 excellent receptions. Meanwhile, Gandler chipped in six points off the bench in her first game back.
Both players missed the entire PVL On Tour and the early stages of the Invitational due to their commitments with Alas Pilipinas.
(C) PVL Images
“For me, yung pagpasok namin pabalik, mabigat talaga kasi syempre, coming from a four-game losing streak, medyo mahirap as an athlete ibalik yung kumpyansa. So, ang pagbalik ko, ang sinabi lang din sa’kin ni coach is just do what you do,” Catindig shared.
“Hayaan mo na sila yung sumunod sa’yo. Ganon. Hindi ka pumipili ng situation kumbaga. Sa kahit anong situation, kailangan matuto ka na kung paano ka maglalaro ng kung ano yung nilalaro mo, parang ganon,” she went on.
“It’s kind of like what I said earlier, yung aggressiveness sa court, that’s what I saw na hopefully I can teach the younger ones like Ishie. I got that din from my experience in being brave,” Gandler added.
Cignal head coach Shaq Delos Santos credited the pair’s return as a key factor in the turnaround.
“Unang-una ‘yung pagbalik netong dalawa (Vanie Gandler and Dawn Macandili) sobrang laki ng impact sa’min netong dalawa. Pinush namin na maglaro sila and we’re so thankful na nag-fit din doon sa schedule,” said Delos Santos.
“Even Vanie, I think kakarating niya lang din last night, so sabi ko nga pagkatiwalaan niya lang kami, kami na bahala dumiskarte. Siyempre iba pa rin ‘yung impact kapag nandiyaan sila. Malaking boost para sa amin na may mga ate.”
