Quezon city: Creamline's Bernadeth Pons and Cignal's Vanie Gandler will be the vital cogs when the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference best-of-three finals series begins Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
According to Philippines News Agency, Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses emphasized the importance of conditioning in their quest for an 11th championship, highlighting the critical role Pons' performance will play. Pons expressed gratitude for the team's intact core, stating, "We know it won't be easy, so we have to work hard for every point. We need to put in the effort starting in training, and we have to want it more -- the desire to win the remaining games. Our goal is really to win the championship this conference."
Pons was instrumental in Creamline's semifinal success, scoring 28 points against PLDT, followed by 17 and 12 points against Cignal and Farm Fresh, respectively. Despite completing a historic Grand Slam in 2024, the Cool Smashers did not secure any titles last season.
Gandler's intensity has been evident throughout Cignal's campaign, notably in their 25-13, 13-25, 25-16, 25-16 semifinal victory over Creamline, where she contributed 24 points, 10 digs, and 10 receptions. This performance secured the first finals berth for the Super Spikers. Gandler, a former Ateneo de Manila University standout, expressed gratitude to her team, saying, "We can't explain how deep this means for us because we know how hard we've worked. I'm just so grateful to the team because the player I am today is because of them."
For Gandler, Cignal's success stems from a shared purpose. "We want the best for each other. It's really not about ourselves -- it's about the team," she said. If both stars perform at their peak, they could statistically neutralize each other.
Pons remains confident in her team, acknowledging the challenges posed by increased competition. "I'm confident in our team that we can make it back to the finals. Our start may have been shaky because the level of competition has really gone up. Every game is a battle now and that's a challenge for us. We're just grateful we survived each game, even if our run wasn't perfect," she stated.
Gandler emphasized a mindset focused on more than just reaching the finals. "Our focus isn't just making it to the finals. Our focus is training like champions every day. We pray for a championship, but that comes with challenges and we have to play like champions," she explained. Gandler added, "It means the world to me because I see the qualities of a champion in each one of my teammates. They've made me a better player and person."
