AFTER playing three official games with Capital 1, Vanie Gandler admits she is still struggling to get into the swings of things with her new team. Gandler, the 2026 All-Filipino Conference Most Valuable Player, signed with Capital 1 in the off-season after her old team Cignal left the league. Despite the lofty expectations, the 25-year-old gunner said she is still adjusting to the system under head coach Jorge Souza de Brito but is confident she can contribute to the team. “It's okay so far. I think I've seen so much progress with our connection throughout the games. I was struggling at the start, but we always make sure to communicate. I'm being patient with it,” said Gandler, who scored 10 points in a five-set victory over ZUS on Tuesday.  “We're all being patient with our connection because we know that it's really a process and we can't force it,” she added. Gandler averaged 12.33 points in her first three games with Capital 1 which currently has a 2-1 win-loss record in the PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series Gandler, however, is thrilled and grateful to have sophomore star Bella Belen by her side to take the load in scoring. “And of course, with regards to having Bella in the team, I'm very grateful of course that Bella's able to hold our ground while I'm still trying to find my rhythm,” Gandler said. “I'm still trying to find my role here in the team, but Bella's ever reliable so we're very grateful to have her.” Belen scored a career-high of 35 points in a win over Akari, followed by a huge 29-point outing against ZUS. Gandler, meanwhile, pointed out that all three games of Capital 1 in the tournament were 5-setters which helped build character for the team. “Yeah, I was talking to coach after the game and I was saying that it's good that our team is being exposed to these high-pressure moments this early on. Especially this early on in our journey together as this core. Of course, what's important is that we win,” she said. Capital 1 (2-1) looks to extend its winning streak to three when it faces winless PLDT (0-2) on Oct. 24 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.