Vanie Gandler delivered in her starting role for Alas Pilipinas, helping the team reach the semifinals of the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup.
As Alas Pilipinas faced off against Iran in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, coach Jorge de Brito made some changes in his starting lineup.
Eya Laure and Thea Gagata sat out, with Vanie Gandler and Cherry Nunag taking their respective places in the first six.
Gandler, in particular, stepped up significantly in her starting role. The Cignal rising star finished with nine points built on eight attacks and one block, helping Alas ease to a 3-0 record in the tournament.
Knowing how fast the AVC Challenge Cup is, the HD Spiker was happy to help the team however she could.
"I'm just really happy to be able to help the team, to be able to help Eya [Laure], cause it's a tournament where we play every day, and they get tired too, so I know that our role as second-stringers is very important so that they get enough rest so that everyone is strong, especially coming into the semis," Gandler told reporters after the match.
Despite the national team's dominance so far in the tournament, Gandler admitted that their success has been a pleasant surprise. But more than that, she knew this young but talented team was ready to give it their all, regardless of the possible results.
"To be honest, with the preparation we had, we didn't really put much expectations, but I always knew that this team would fight, so I'm not surprised that every game, everyone poured their hearts out," said Gandler.
With the Filipino community cheering on Alas Pilipinas as they advance in the tournament, the 23-year-old hotshot is looking to maximize her first time on the national team.
"I'm so proud of everyone, and I'm so happy, not just for the team. The crowd really boosts our energy," said Gandler.
"It's my first time playing with the national team and it's really a different feeling seeing the Philippine flag everywhere, feeling the heart of everyone," she added.
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Alas Pilipinas will face the still-winless Chinese Taipei for their final match in Pool A Sunday at 7:00 p.m.