Cignal star Vanie Gandler in action against Zus Coffee. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA — Vanie Gandler took flight in Cignal's 25-18, 25-23, 25-22 victory over Zus Coffee in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.
Gandler registered a huge 20-point output on 18 attacks and two blocks to go along with 13 excellent receptions and four excellent digs, doing her part in the Super Spikers' offense and defense.
It was a rebound win for Gandler and company, having lost against Akari last time around, 23-25, 25-20, 25-11, 23-25, 12-15.
READ: PVL: Akari outlasts league-leading Cignal for win no. 2
"In the third set, I told the girls that Zus Coffee is known as five-set queens. They've made so many comebacks. So, we can't let them get ahead because we know what they're capable of," said the Ateneo de Manila University product during the postgame interview.
With the win, Cignal improved to a 5-2 win-loss card.
They faced adversities in the second and third frames, after a smooth-sailing opener.
The Super Spikers clawed their way back into the match in the pivotal period, tearing a four-point 15-11 cushion by the Thunderbelles, en route to tasting the lead for the first time in a long while at 21-20.
Gandler's attack, Chinnie Arroyo's attack error, and a Cignal block propelled the team to match point, 24-21. Riza Nogales was there to save her team, 24-22, but it was too late for any comeback attempt as Gandler found the kill to close out the game within one hour and 34 minutes.
"We know that no one is safe, even though we started the conference strong. We know that we're not safe because everyone has wins, everyone has losses. And now is not the time for us to relax," noted Gandler.
On the other hand, Zus Coffee fell further to 1-6. Arroyo and Thea Gagate paced the losing effort with 11 points each.
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