Vanie Gandler joined the Capital1 Solar Spikers as a former league MVP, but she knows that doesn’t make her new team come together any faster. The outside hitter is giving herself and her teammates time to build chemistry.
Gandler signed with Capital1 in May along with fellow MVP Erika Santos after the Cignal Super Spikers stepped away from the PVL. She said she wasn’t just looking to add firepower to a team. She wanted to help build something.
That work is still ongoing as she gets in sync with the team’s setters and figures out how she fits next to franchise star Bella Belen.
“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 former Ateneo standout.
“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.”
Gandler is thankful that Belen has given Capital1 a steady presence while she settles in.
“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 on the team, but Bella’s ever reliable, so we’re very grateful to have her,” she said.
Gandler, Capital1 Finding a Groove
The adjustment hasn’t stopped the team from winning. Capital1 rallied past the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, 20-25, 25-17, 22-25, 25-20, 15-8, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay for its second straight win at the 2026–27 PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series. Gandler, who played three sets, scored 12 points.
It was Capital1’s third straight five-setter, and Gandler sees value in facing that kind of pressure early.
“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.”
Capital1 will next face the PLDT High Speed Hitters on Saturday, October 24, at 1:00 p.m. at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
