CAPITAL 1 signed two formidable gunners, Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos, to bolster its lineup in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).
The Solar Spikers acquired Gandler, the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference Most Valuable Player, and Santos, the PVL On Tour MVP.
Gandler and Santos led the charge for the Cignal Super Spikers’ runner-up finish in the All-Filipino Conference before the team decided to file a leave of absence on April 27. “Playing on the other side of the court, against them, I show the growth of the team in the span of two years. I saw the potential the team has, I can see how the team owners are supportive of them and how they communicate with their players,” Gandler told the media during the press conference of Capital 1 at the Gameville Ball Park in Mandaluyong City on Thursday. “We are not just the missing piece. I wanted to be there and build a team with them, and help them write a story. I don’t think we are missing pieces, we are here to write a story with Capital 1,” she added.
Santos echoed Gandler’s sentiments, stating that she is also excited for a new beginning. “Of course, I am already attached to my teammates [in Cignal], and this new beginning and fresh start are exciting. I am excited to help Capital 1 to reach their goals, and I am looking forward to being with the team,” Santos said.
Since its debut in 2024, Capital 1’s best finish in a tournament was making the quarterfinals in the 2024 Reinforced Conference.
Capital 1’s lead scorer, Bella Belen, who lured Gandler and Santos to join the team during the 2026 PVL All-Star in Candon City last April, said that she is happy to get reinforcements for the next conference.
“I am very happy that I am finally and officially teammates with them. We played against each other, and now we are teammates; this is also best for the team,” said Belen, who also emphasized the importance of teamwork in volleyball.
“This is not a one-man sport,” she added.
Nxled setter Janel Maraguinot also joined Capital 1 and will be backing up Jas Nabor, Nikki Yandoc and Iris Tolenada.
