In a tournament where momentum often means everything, Cignal finally found its spark—and it came in the form of two familiar faces.
Veterans Dawn Catindig and Vanie Gandler made their much-anticipated return to the HD Spikers, rejoining a team battered by a losing streak and mounting pressure in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Invitational. For a squad searching for answers, their presence was the steady hand on the wheel.
Both players, fresh off national team duties with Alas Pilipinas, wasted no time reminding Cignal why they are considered anchors of the franchise. Catindig, returning a game earlier than Gandler, immediately set the tone with her leadership and tireless floor defense. Gandler, a spark off the bench, brought energy and composure when the team needed it most.
“We have to show the kids that kahit anong mangyari, kahit anong sitwasyon ang ibigay sa'yo, you have to be playing consistent,” said the 29-year-old Catindig, whose veteran voice carried weight inside the huddle.
Gandler, at 24, echoed her teammate’s mindset, emphasizing that leadership is as much about example as it is about words. “Like what Ate Dawn said, my mindset isn’t to change them but make sure that I do what I have to do. Not just in games — in practice, outside of practice, so that they see that we’re doing our jobs and this is what will help,” she shared.
The message resonated, and the results showed. With their leaders back, Cignal snapped its skid with a much-needed four-set win over ZUS Coffee, 22-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-19, keeping its slim finals hopes alive in the six-team tournament.
Catindig was everywhere, finishing with 18 excellent digs and 15 excellent receptions—numbers that underscored her impact beyond the stat sheet. Gandler, despite just arriving the night before, chipped in six points in her return, her presence alone enough to steady the team’s nerves.
“For me, yung pagpasok namin pabalik, mabigat talaga kasi syempre, coming from a four-game losing streak, medyo mahirap as an athlete ibalik yung kumpyansa. So, ang pagbalik ko, ang sinabi lang din sa'kin ni coach is just do what you do,” Catindig admitted, her voice carrying both relief and determination.
"Hayaan mo na sila yung sumunod sa'yo. Ganon. Hindi ka pumipili ng situation kumbaga. Sa kahit anong situation, kailangan matuto ka na kung paano ka maglalaro ng kung ano yung nilalaro mo, parang ganon," she continued, a glimpse into the mindset that has made her a leader.
Gandler, for her part, sees this return as an opportunity to pass down lessons. “It’s kind of like what I said earlier, yung aggressiveness sa court, that’s what I saw na hopefully I can teach the younger ones like Ishie. I got that din from my experience in being brave,” she said.
Their coach, Shaq Delos Santos, couldn’t hide his gratitude for the timely boost.
“Unang-una ‘yung pagbalik netong dalawa (Vanie Gandler and Dawn Macandili) sobrang laki ng impact sa'min netong dalawa. Pinush namin na maglaro sila and we’re so thankful na nag-fit din doon sa schedule,” he said. “Even Vanie, I think kakarating niya lang din last night, so sabi ko nga pagkatiwalaan niya lang kami, kami na bahala dumiskarte. Siyempre iba pa rin ‘yung impact kapag nandiyaan sila. Malaking boost para sa amin na may mga ate.”
