Gandler received the Conference MVP trophy on Thursday in front of 17,358 fans at Smart Araneta Coliseum, marking her first major individual award in her third PVL season.

“It’s very meaningful to me. I fought really hard to be where I am today. I fought through so many failures. I fought through so much doubt. But I’m really grateful for those who were with me,” said Gandler, who poured in 26 points before Creamline clinched the championship with a 25-23, 22-25, 25-16, 16-25, 15-11 win.

 

“I really hold that purpose that I want to show people that with hard work and dedication, you can reach your goals. Like you can get anywhere. [It] doesn’t matter what people say as long as you keep working and believe in yourself.”

The 25-year-old outside spiker led Cignal and ranked fourth overall with 209 points built on 182 attacks, 17 blocks and 10 aces. She also placed among the league’s top performers in multiple categories, including spiking, serving and receiving.

Gandler became the third Cignal player to win a PVL MVP, joining Ces Molina (2023 Invitational) and teammate Erika Santos (PVL on Tour).
She highlighted her campaign with a 24-point, all-around performance in the semifinals that powered Cignal back to the finals for the first time in two years.

 

Photo: PVL

“I’m proud of myself. I’m definitely a player, a person who keeps trying, keeps pushing forward. It doesn’t matter what people say. I have a great career, a great team. I’m blessed to have this career. I have a great family and great support system, so that’s what matters to me,” said Gandler.”

Meanwhile, Bella Belen of Capital1 took Rookie of the Conference and one of two Best Outside Spiker awards after finishing as the league’s third-leading scorer with 218 points.

Former MVP Brooke Van Sickle earned her third Best Outside Spiker citation in her first conference with Nxled.

Trisha Tubu of Farm Fresh dominated offensively, claiming her fifth Best Opposite Spiker award after leading the league with 251 points and a 41.70% attack rate.

 

Cignal playmaker Gel Cayuna secured her fifth Best Setter plum, while also topping the league in aces per set.

Riza Nogales of ZUS Coffee and Jeanette Panaga of Creamline Cool Smashers were named Best Middle Blockers, with Panaga extending her record to 10 awards.

Kath Arado of PLDT High Speed Hitters became the league’s most decorated Best Libero with her sixth honor, tying the best diggers list with 4.71 per set.