All news tagged VanieGandler

The Philippine women’s national futsal team is set for a challenging campaign after landing in a tough Group A with world No. 6 Argentina, No. 14 Poland, and No. 31 Morocco in the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup 2025. The official draw was held Monday night, September 15, at the Bonifacio Global City Arts Center in Taguig.

This marks the third straight year the Philippines will host a World Cup, after successful stints in football and basketball. This time, futsal takes the spotlight as the country stages the historic inaugural edition of the women’s competition.

The group stage is scheduled from November 21 to December 7 at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City, which will serve as the sole venue following the Philippine Football Federation’s (PFF) decision to drop Victorias City from co-hosting duties due to logistical concerns.

ZUS Coffee delivered a clutch performance in the decisive fifth set, showing composure, resilience, and timely execution to edge out Cignal in a thrilling five-set battle, 19-25, 25-23, 25-20, 23-25, 15-12, in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference Play-In Tournament at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Tuesday, March 11.

“We’re very happy, but there’s a bit of frustration since we could have closed it out in the fourth set. Still, we held on in the fifth, so we’re happy,” said Thunderbelles head coach Jerry Yee.  

Cignal made a late push in the deciding frame, cutting ZUS Coffee’s lead to 13-12 after a block from Jackie Acuña on Jovelyn Gonzaga and an attack error by Michelle Gamit.

However, former HD Spiker Chai Troncoso rose to the occasion, delivering two consecutive clutch hits to seal the victory. She finished with 21 points, including 15 attacks, four aces, and two blocks, while also recording 17 excellent receptions.  

ZUS Coffee seemed poised to close out the match in four sets, holding a dominant 12-3 lead early and an 18-11 advantage midway. But Cignal mounted a strong comeback, led by Vanie Gandler and Ishie Lalongisip, forcing a deciding set.

The Cignal HD Spikers swept the Akari Chargers in their match-up, 25-17, 25-15, 25-21, to secure the No. 3 seed in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday, February 18, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

Cignal finished the game in just one hour and 26 minutes.

Vanie Gandler unleashed 15 points, including 14 deadly attacks to lead the team to their third straight victory, while Roselyn Doria-Aquino delivered 12 crucial points, including three kill blocks, that earned her Best Player of the Game honors.

Rookie sensation Ishie Lalongisip continued her stellar play, chipping in 10 markers, while Jacqueline Acuña provided eight markers to complete a well-balanced assault. 

The win not only extended the HD Spikers winning streak but also etched their status as one of the team's to beat going into the knockout phase.

PLDT returned to their winning ways after pulling off a 25-20, 25-21, 20-25, 25-22 victory over Cignal in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Tuesday, January 28.

The High Speed Hitters retaliated fiercely after the HD Spikers won the third set, gaining a 16–6 lead in the fourth set and appearing poised to win the match easily.

The Cignal team, led by Vanie Gandler and Ishie Lalongisip’s aggressive performances halfway through the frame, even got within one at 22-21, but Majoy Baron and star spiker Savi Davison’s kills helped the High Speed Hitters regain their rhythm and end the game.

Davison put up her usual output with 24 points along with 12 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions as PLDT now holds a 5-3 record. 

Cignal showed no sign of depletion as they overpowered Galeries Towers in straight sets, 25-17, 25-20, 25-19, in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena on Tuesday, January 21.

Despite entering a new era without key players Ces Molina and Riri Meneses, the HD Spikers kicked off their campaign with a 5-1 record.

“Very thankful because we won in straight sets, and I’m proud of the team because what we’ve been working on in training is starting to show. But, of course, we still need to keep working until we master what we want to achieve and execute it in every game,” coach Shaq delos Santos said as Cignal made its way through the remainder of the conference without Molina and veteran middle blocker Meneses, who both chose not to extend their contracts with the team.

Vanie Gandler led the charge for the HD Spikers, being the lone player to reach double-digit scoring. She finished with 17 points built from 13 attacks, three aces, and a block.

Cignal kept their record unblemished despite the third-set stumble to end Choco Mucho's two-game winning streak, 25-18, 25-18, 20-25, 25-22, in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference on Thursday, November 28, at Philsports Arena in Pasig.

Five HD Spikers finished in double digits, including playmaker Gel Cayuna, as they tied sister team PLDT with identical 3-0 records at the top of the standings.

Four-time Best Setter Cayuna recorded 16 excellent sets while also producing 11 points, including seven attacks, three blocks, and one ace against the Flying Titans.