Going their separate ways after the UAAP, Faith Nisperos and Vanie Gandler are teammates once more in Alas Pilipinas for the upcoming AVC Challenge Cup.
After making the jump to the PVL, former Ateneo de Manila University standouts Vanie Gandler and Faith Nisperos will be teammates once more for Alas Pilipinas in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup.
The former 1-2 punch of the Blue Eagles went their separate ways after UAAP Season 85.
Gandler signed with the Cignal HD Spikers after using up all her playing years in the collegiate league, while Nisperos decided to skip her final year in the UAAP and turned pro with the Akari Chargers.
Now with Alas Pilipinas for the upcoming international tilt, Nisperos is excited about teaming up with Gandler once more.
“Siyempre, as we said nga, 'Uy, parang dati lang nasa Ateneo tayo, we're fighting for our school, our school pride [but] now, we're actually bringing the flag naman,’” Nisperos told reporters after Alas Pilipinas’ team presentation on Monday, May 20.
“It's a great privilege and I'm happy to be back with her kasi madali nga 'yung chemistry kasi I've been with her na. Playing in the higher level is very exciting naman to be with her,” she added.
[ALSO READ: A post-it promise: Cignal's Vanie Gandler makes Alas Pilipinas dream a reality]
Of course, it’s not just Gandler that Nisperos is having an easy time playing with; she also lauded the openness of her teammates to adjust to the national team.
“Everyone is very willing to know kung ano 'yung kiliti nung isa, saan sila komportable, anong klaseng positioning sila comfortable,” said Nisperos.
“We're all actually very open to compromise with each other. That's what I think makes this very different this time—everyone is very willing to compromise, everyone is very willing to adjust to each other,” she added.
[ALSO READ: Jen Nierva lauds "willingness" of every Alas Pilipinas player to train, compete for AVC Challenge Cup]
Nisperos was part of the Philippine women’s volleyball team that competed in last year’s tournament and finished in seventh place.
But despite the short preparation for the tournament once more, Nisperos likes what she’s seen from the team so far.
“Well, even with the very short period of time, I think ito na 'yung pinaka-short period ng preparation namin, but with the different players right now, the chemistry, the gelling was made easy kasi number one, everyone is open to changes, everyone is willing to compromise with each other,” said Nisperos.
“Number two is the leadership that we have. We have ate Jia [de Guzman], ate Dawn [Macandili-Catindig], and the other ates. [It’s] very easy to be with them even na bata kami, we didn't feel na parang bata,” she emphasized.
The AVC Challenge Cup for Women starts on May 22 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. It will air on One Sports, One Sports+, and the Pilipinas Live app.