Coming off a bout with gastroenteritis, Vanie Gandler powered Cignal to the solo lead after surviving Farm Fresh in a cardiac four-set victory, 25-17, 26-24, 20-25, 30-28, in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Gandler, who had been dealing with a bum stomach over the past couple of days, finished with 25 points built on 24 attacks and one ace. She also tallied 14 excellent digs and 15 excellent receptions to help the Super Spikers seize the top spot with a league-leading 3-0 record.
(C) PVL Images
“I’m really proud of my team because we work really hard and we really try our best to apply everything that’s taught to us. We still have many lapses, many things to work on, but I’m very happy with how we’re willing to learn and improve each training,” said the 25-year-old winger from Ateneo.
Cignal needed every bit of Gandler’s production in a tense four-set clash with the Foxies, who were on the verge of dragging the match to a fifth set.
Farm Fresh was actually a point away from forcing a decider before Gandler hammered down a kill that sparked a 3-0 run, capped by an Erika Santos cross-court hit that suddenly gave the Super Spikers a 25-24 lead.
It remained a nip-and-tuck affair from there before Riri Meneses committed a costly service line fault, and Tin Tiamzon delivered the finishing touch with an uncontested push to finally hand Cignal the hard-fought win after two hours and 10 minutes of play.
“I think syempre yung respect din namin sa kalaban kasi grabe yung– kilala naman namin sila, and puro beteranong players so syempre expect din namin na talagang ganun yung mangyayari sa game,” said Super Spikers head coach Shaq delos Santos.
“But, ang good thing siguro nag-improve kami doon sa aspect na pano namin i-handle yung ganung situation like sa crucial moment. so ayun, thank you Lord, panalo kami,” she added.
Santos backstopped Gandler with 15 points on 13 attacks and two blocks, while Gel Cayuna orchestrated the offense with 19 excellent sets to go along with seven points for Cignal.
Middle blockers Rose Doria-Aquino and Jackie Acuña tallied seven and six points, respectively, in the win, while team captain and libero Dawn Catindig registered 17 excellent digs.
The Super Spikers will face Nxled on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
(C) PVL Images
Meanwhile, the Foxies dropped their second consecutive game to open the tournament.
Trisha Tubu poured in 19 points, while Ces Molina posted an all-around effort of 18 points, eight excellent digs, and 13 excellent receptions in the loss. Royse Tubino added 18 and 14 markers.
Farm Fresh will aim for its first win against Galeries Tower earlier on Saturday at 4 p.m.
