Vanie Gandler and Dawn Catindig ready to juggle PVL and SEA Games duties

The Cignal HD Spikers ended their two-game losing streak in the ongoing 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference by defeating the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, 22-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-19, on Monday, August 25, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City, keeping their hopes of winning a bronze medal alive.

The victory also marked the return of Alas Pilipinas duo Vanie Gandler and Dawn Macandili-Catindig to the PVL following a hectic schedule with the Philippine women’s national volleyball team. Catindig played a key role in Cignal’s triumph, finishing with 18 excellent digs and 15 receptions, while Gandler contributed six points despite limited minutes on her return.

PVL president and Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) vice president Ricky Palou recently confirmed that the league’s players will be available to represent Alas Pilipinas in the upcoming 2025 Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Bangkok, Thailand. As a result, national team players will be required to participate in thrice-weekly training sessions during the PVL Reinforced Conference, which runs from October to November.

Despite the demanding schedule ahead, Catindig and Gandler expressed confidence that the PNVF will be able to strike a balance that prioritizes the players’ well-being.

“Lahat naman siguro kasi, napag-uusapan, siyempre. Both sides, Alas and Cignal, respect yung condition ng katawan ng athletes, so perfect balance lang siguro talaga,” Catindig said during the post-match press conference.

DAWN ON ALAS DIRECTION AND LA SALLE LEGACY 🇵🇭📡

Dawn Macandili-Catindig shares her thoughts on La Salle’s lasting imprints for club and country, mentoring Justine Jazareno and a clearer future for Alas Pilipinas. #PVL2025 #PVLInvitational #AlasPilipinas @spinph pic.twitter.com/VBhTADaWwP

— John Mark Garcia (@johnmarkdg_) August 25, 2025

Gandler added that her international experience with Alas Pilipinas has also allowed her to take on a mentoring role at Cignal, in addition to her player duties.

“The whole experience of playing at that level is something I want to bring here. With the maturity and exposure I now have, I hope to share what I’ve learned with the team, including the small lessons and the aggressiveness required in the national team,” Gandler said.

“My mindset isn’t to change them, but to focus on doing my part—on the court, in practice, and even outside of practice—so they see the example. The aggressiveness on the court is something I hope to pass on to younger players like Ishie. I gained that from my experience with the national team,” she added.

For now, both Gandler and Catindig aim to help Cignal end the Invitational Conference on a high note and secure their second straight win when they face the Japanese team, Kobe Shinwa University, in their final game on Thursday, August 28, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

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