Vanie Gandler is not arriving at Capital1 to complete a puzzle.
Instead, the 25-year-old reigning All-Filipino Conference MVP is coming in to help write the story of a franchise determined to carve out its place in the Premier Volleyball League.
“I don’t think we’re missing pieces,” Gandler said during her introduction to the media alongside Erika Santos and Jaja Maraguinot in a press conference held at Gameville Ball Park in Mandaluyong.
“I think we’re really here to write a story with Capital1,” she added.
Touted as one of the most sought-after free agents after Cignal took a leave of absence from the PVL, Gandler chose to join Capital1 alongside Santos. They form a formidable wing tandem with fellow Alas Pilipinas standout Bella Belen as the Solar Spikers look to script a new chapter in the franchise’s rise.
The former Ateneo star said Capital1 felt like the right fit from the moment discussions began, pointing to the organization’s clear vision and the strong impression made by team owners Milka Romero and Mandy Romero. Their hands-on leadership ultimately convinced her that the Solar Spikers were the ideal place to begin this new chapter of her career.
(C) PVL Images
“When I was thinking of a team to join, I always felt na I fit best in Capital1 for some reason. Playing on the other side of the court against them, I saw the growth of the team in the two years that Capital1 has been in the PVL. I saw the potential that the team has because I can see it in the team owners handled the team, with how supportive they are with the way they communicate with their players,” said Gandler.
“So I wanted to join a team, na I’m not just a missing piece, I wanted to be there to build a team with them, to help them write a story,” she added.
With Gandler and Santos joining an already-promising core led by Belen, expectations are naturally high for Capital1 as the Solar Spikers look poised to take a significant step forward in the PVL.
But for Gandler, the focus is less on the hype surrounding the team and more on how quickly the group can come together and build something meaningful.
“There may be high expectations, but like always, my focus is just on today. What I have to do today, the process of what I need to do next, so I’m definitely gonna take what I learned over the past years and try to share it with the team, but not put too much pressure on myself na I have this expectation ‘cause I know that I still have so much to learn,” she said.
“I think like what Ms. Milka (Romero) said: our goal isn’t to right away reach the end. Our goal is to focus on the process, and I have no doubt that this team will really focus on the process and get there one step at a time. In my recent years in volleyball, I really fell in love with the process and everything I learned getting to that championship,” Gandler added.
Gandler knows that transforming potential into a championship contender will be a process, one that will require time, trust, and patience. But it is a journey she is fully prepared to embrace, confident that if the team stays together and continues to grow, the ultimate goal will eventually follow.
“The timeline to that championship, I’m not sure, but I know one day we’ll get there. But for now, we’re just gonna enjoy what we’re doing and enjoy building this team together,” she bared.
“And I know that I can learn so much from this new team, new people, new perspectives, so I’m very excited for that and I’m very excited to still keep improving.”
