Vanie Gandler knows that finding her rhythm with a new team takes time, and the Capital1 outside hitter is willing to be patient as she builds chemistry with the rest of the Solar Spikers.
Despite arriving with a Most Valuable Player award and plenty of experience from her previous stint with Cignal, Gandler understands that adjusting to a new system and developing connections with her teammates will not happen overnight.
The former Super Spikers star joined Capital1 in May alongside fellow MVP Erika Santos after Cignal decided to disband its roster at the end of last season.
Rather than simply joining a squad in need of more firepower, Gandler wanted to help build something with Capital1. And she is embracing the process of growing together and taking things one step at a time.
That process is still ongoing, particularly as she works on her connection with the team’s playmakers while finding her place alongside franchise star Bella Belen in the ongoing 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series.
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“It’s okay so far. I think I’ve seen so much progress with our connection throughout the games. I was struggling at the start, but then we really always make sure to communicate,” said the 25-year-old wing spiker from Ateneo.
“I’m being patient with it. We’re all being patient with our connection because we know that it’s really a process, and we can’t force it.”
Fortunately for Gandler, Belen has continued to provide a steady presence for the Solar Spikers as she works through the adjustments.
“And of course, with regard to having Bella on the team, I’m very grateful, of course, that Bella’s able to hold our ground while I’m still trying to find my rhythm. I’m still trying to find my role here in the team, but Bella’s ever reliable, so we’re very grateful to have her,” she said.
So far, the adjustment has coincided with Capital1’s winning run. The Solar Spikers notched their second consecutive victory with a comeback win over ZUS Coffee, 20-25, 25-17, 22-25, 25-20, 15-8, on Tuesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Gandler, who played just three sets, finished with 11 points as Capital1 secured its second straight five-set victory, extending its run of five-set matches to three in as many games this conference.
“It’s good that our team is being exposed to these high-pressure moments this early on, especially this early on in our journey together as this core,” she said.
“Of course, what’s important is that we win. So, I’m happy that we’re able to fight through and get the wins. We learned from our first game, but we know that coming into the next games, it’s really going to be very challenging.”
