Cignal ensured its future by signing Vanie Gandler to a long-term contract extension, the team announced Friday afternoon.
Gandler, who began her professional career with the HD Spikers, has emerged as one of the team’s key players, especially following the departure of former captain Ces Molina.
“I’m very thankful, of course to be given this opportunity by Cignal because they’ve helped me a lot, they’ve contributed a lot to my growth in the past two years in the past two years in the pros and I’m really excited to grow with them,” said Gandler.
The 24-year-old outside hitter out of Ateneo de Manila University averaged 13.6 points per game in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference. There, she helped the team finish third in the elimination round with an 8-3 win-loss record.
(C) PVL Images
However, Cignal’s lack of manpower eventually caught up with them, as they suffered a shocking loss to Galeries Tower in the qualifying round before being ousted in the play-in.
Still, Gandler was one of the bright spots for the HD Spikers in the five-month-long tourney, ranking eighth in scoring (163 points), fifth in service (0.28 per set), and sixth in receiving (27.70).
Gandler said she feels motivated to repay the management’s trust by continuing to grow as a player and helping lead Cignal to greater success in the coming seasons.
“I’m very motivated, of course. Like I’ve said, they’ve helped me a lot and I really want to give back to the team, the management, the coaches, and my teammates because it was really just a blessing joining this team,” said Gandler.
“They also welcomed me and allowed me to grow into my own person. They accepted me and was able to really blossom with them.”
#WATCH: Vanie Gandler is with Cignal for the long haul — ready to grow, lead, and bring more wins to the HD Spikers
@jonashdcd /Tiebreaker Times#PVL2025 pic.twitter.com/kl3LXnLEJa
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) May 23, 2025
