Vanie Gandler keeps Cignal focused as Super Spikers chase elusive PVL title

Momentum has been building for Cignal in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, but the Super Spikers are making sure it doesn’t turn into complacency.

Fresh off a convincing straight-sets win over ZUS Coffee, Cignal strengthened its standing in the tournament with a 5-2 record, good for solo third place behind the early leaders PLDT and Creamline. The victory further highlighted the team’s growing confidence as the race for playoff positioning tightens.

Still, the Super Spikers understand that a strong record in the preliminary round guarantees nothing in a conference where the format ensures every team remains in the hunt.

“We know that no one is safe, even though we started the conference strongly. We know that we’re not safe because everyone has wins, everyone has losses. And now is not the time for us to relax,” said Cignal ace Vanie Gandler after their 25-18, 25-23, 25-22 win over ZUS Coffee.

Under the tournament’s format, the top four teams after the preliminary phase advance to the qualifying round. From there, two teams will secure outright spots in the semifinals, while the losing sides are given another chance by facing the Play-In winners.

The Play-In stage gives teams ranked fifth to tenth a lifeline, splitting them into two groups of three where the group winners will challenge the qualifying round losers for the final semifinal slots. 

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SUPER SPIKERS RETURN TO WIN COLUMN

Cignal head coach Shaq delos Santos and Vanie Gandler speak on their 25-18, 25-23, 25-22 victory over Zus Coffee on Thursday, bouncing back after loss to Akari. #PVL2026 | via @kennedyzcaacbay pic.twitter.com/ZPQ0MHYffR

— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) March 5, 2026

With so many twists built into the path toward the championship, every win remains crucial — a reality not lost on the Super Spikers as they continue their steady climb.

For Cignal, the stakes are even higher given the franchise’s long pursuit of a championship breakthrough. Despite being one of the league’s consistent contenders, the team has yet to capture the top prize, settling for two runner-up finishes and five third-place results in previous conferences.

That unfinished mission continues to drive the squad, especially Gandler, who has emerged as the team’s offensive leader this conference with a 16.7-point average, and with 117 total points which makes her the 4th best scorer this conference. 

“My goal for myself is to be able to help Cignal win the championship. That’s it,” she declared.

With five wins already in their pocket and the team finding its rhythm, the Super Spikers are determined to keep building momentum as the competition intensifies.

Cignal will have time to regroup before returning to the court on March 14 against Capital1, before wrapping up its preliminary round campaign in a highly anticipated showdown against Creamline in March. 

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