Vanie Gandler’s continued rise reached another milestone after she was named PVL Press Corps Player of the Week, following her crucial role in steering Cignal to the 2026 All-Filipino Finals.

The recognition came after a standout performance that highlighted both her scoring ability and all-around contributions, reinforcing her importance to the Super Spikers’ breakthrough campaign.

Cignal secured its finals berth with a 25-13, 13-25, 25-16, 25-16 victory over Creamline in the round-robin semifinals at the Mall of Asia Arena, with Gandler leading the charge.

Gandler delivers triple-double in finals-clinching win

Gandler produced a complete performance in the pivotal match, finishing with 24 points, 10 digs, and 10 excellent receptions to power Cignal past a seasoned Creamline side. Her effort showcased her growth into a dependable leader and go-to option under pressure.

Her triple-double outing ultimately earned her the weekly citation, as she stood out among the league’s top performers during the stretch.

“We can’t explain how deep this is for us, kasi we know how hard we worked for this. I just have so much gratefulness for the team, kasi the player I am today is because of them,” Gandler said.

“The way the team is performing is because we just want the best for each other. It’s really not for ourselves, it’s for each other.”

Recognition caps Gandler’s growth as Cignal leader

Gandler’s development has mirrored Cignal’s steady rise, transforming from a promising contributor into a central figure for the franchise on both ends of the floor. Her ability to deliver in crucial moments has made her a key piece in the team’s long-term rebuild.

Despite a non-bearing loss to PLDT where she saw limited minutes and scored just one point, the Super Spikers used the opportunity to give their bench valuable exposure heading into the finals.

“Our focus isn’t that we go to the championship. Our focus is that we train like champions every day. So that’s what we do. We ask God for a championship. He’s gonna give us challenges, but we need to play like we’re champions,” Gandler said.

“It means the world because I see the qualities of a champion in each one of them. And it’s made me a better person and player.”

Gandler was the unanimous choice for the award, beating out fellow standouts Bernadeth Pons, Trisha Tubu, and Savi Davison.

With confidence building, Cignal now heads into its best-of-three finals showdown against Creamline, with Game 1 set Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.