PVL: Gandler, Santos set to shine with Capital1 Solar Spikers

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

A new Capital1 Solar Spikers era is on the way.

On May 14, 2026, Capital1 underwent its most massive offseason roster overhaul since joining the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) after signing former Cignal superstars Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos.

After the press conference at GameVille Ball Park in Mandaluyong, the acquisition of the duo was publicized on Capital1’s official Facebook page through two separate graphic posts.

Gandler and Santos became the most highly sought-after players available in the PVL free-agent market a month after the Cignal franchise decided to take a leave of absence from the league.

All the speculation then ended after the Solar Spikers officially won the sweepstakes for Gandler and Santos, the reigning PVL Most Valuable Player (MVP) and the former PVL On Tour MVP, respectively.

Gandler, who is coming off her best PVL season after leading Cignal to the grand finals stage, is expected to boost Capital1’s offensive department.

Not new to adjusting to a different home, Santos, who shone more after transferring from PLDT to Cignal, is looking to bring the same chemistry and familiarity with Gandler once they lace up the yellow and black threads of the Solar Spikers.

More importantly, Gandler and Santos will form the newest Big 3 in the PVL, as they are set to team up with the newly crowned Rookie of the Year, Bella Belen.

It’s make-or-break time for Capital1 after missing back-to-back playoff qualifications despite adding a list of veteran players during the last PVL All-Filipino Conference.

Since joining the league in 2024, the Solar Spikers have made the postseason only once, during the Reinforced Conference led by scoring machine import Marina Tushova.

After the import-laced conference, Capital1’s PVL journey didn’t end on a bright note.

Now that they have the services of the league’s two MVPs, the Solar Spikers’ management, led by Milka and Mandy Romero, is excited about what’s in store for their young team.

Will this be the season that Capital1 thrives the most?

Can they compete for the championship title and shock the PVL?