Capital1 is no longer building quietly.
After spending its early PVL years trying to establish an identity, the young franchise has suddenly accelerated its timeline — and the rest of the league may now have to take the Solar Spikers far more seriously.
In what instantly became one of the biggest offseason moves in recent PVL memory, Capital1 secured the services of former Cignal stars Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos, dramatically reshaping both its roster and championship outlook heading into the new season.
The franchise also strengthened its playmaking department by adding veteran setter Jaja Maraguinot, further signaling that Capital1 is shifting from a developmental team into a squad aiming to contend immediately.
The centerpiece of the transformation, of course, is Gandler.
Fresh off the best conference of her professional career, the 25-year-old arrives in Capital1 carrying the momentum of a breakthrough season that saw her evolve from rising talent into full-fledged league star.
Gandler powered Cignal to its first-ever All-Filipino Finals appearance earlier this year and nearly helped push Creamline to the brink during a fiercely contested championship series.
Her stellar run ultimately earned her the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference MVP award — the first individual accolade of her PVL career.
But perhaps more importantly, Gandler now enters a situation where expectations immediately become much bigger.
At Capital1, she joins forces with fellow Alas Pilipinas standout Bella Belen, creating what could become one of the league’s most dangerous wing tandems.
The partnership also gives the PVL a rare combination: the reigning MVP alongside the reigning Rookie of the Conference.
Just as significant is Gandler’s reunion with former Alas Pilipinas head coach Jorge Souza De Brito, who once again gets the opportunity to maximize one of the country’s premier outside hitters.
While Gandler headlines the move, Santos may end up becoming equally important to Capital1’s rise.
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Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos talk about their new chapter in Capital1, moving forward after a breakout conference with Cignal in the #PVL2026 All-Filipino Conference. | via @kennedyzcaacbay pic.twitter.com/8l3pjpPUMz
— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) May 14, 2026
After years of searching for consistency early in her career, Santos finally found her rhythm with Cignal and blossomed into one of the PVL’s fastest-rising scorers.
Her lone season with the Super Spikers became a breakout campaign, highlighted by a PVL on Tour MVP award and recognition as one of the league’s top opposite spikers.
Now joining her third PVL team, Santos gives Capital1 another reliable offensive weapon while reuniting with fellow La Salle product Leila Cruz.
The additions arrive at a crucial point for the Solar Spikers.
Despite flashes of promise last season — particularly behind Belen’s emergence as Rookie of the Conference and Best Outside Spiker — Capital1 still struggled to consistently compete with the league’s elite.
The team reached the Reinforced Conference quarterfinals but eventually finished eighth in the All-Filipino Conference after falling short in the Play-In stage.
That reality appears to have fueled the franchise’s aggressive offseason approach.
Instead of waiting years for gradual growth, Capital1 has chosen to accelerate the process by surrounding Belen with proven stars already capable of competing deep into the playoffs.
And after landing two of the biggest names available following Cignal’s leave of absence, the Solar Spikers may have officially announced themselves as a legitimate threat to the PVL hierarchy.
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