The Cignal HD Spikers manifested a throwback.
It's been three years in the making, but the tandem of Rachel Anne Daquis and Jovelyn Gonzaga is officially back in the volleyball scene.
The Cignal HD Spikers on Wednesday announced the return of Sgt. Gonzaga, after her stints with the Army Black Mamba Energy Drink Lady Troopers and the Philippine beach volleyball team. And it seems like it was always meant to be, based on this throwback interview shared by Gonzaga and Daquis.
"Kung mapupunta man ako kung saang team maliban sa Army, 'pag lumabas ako, kung saan si Rachel, 'dun ako pupunta," Gonzaga said in an old clip that she shared on Thursday. "Ganun 'yung closeness namin."
It seemed Daquis was tickled pink to see her best bud.
The GonzAquis tandem, which spawned multiple fan accounts over the years, proved to be golden for the Philippine Army Lady Troopers during the Shakey's V-League 11th Season Open Conference. Daquis was hailed as the Conference Most Valuable Player, while Gonzaga was named Finals MVP.
When they crossed over to the Philippine Super Liga, the tandem led Cignal to a co-championship of the 2017 Invitational Cup, as shared by Daquis on Instagram.
Gonzaga was hailed as the MVP, while Daquis was named Best Outside Spiker, as the volleybelles shared in this throwback.
Sgt. Gonzaga played for the Army once again when it competed in the PVL from 2019 until the 2023 All-Filipino Conference.
And it looks like the HD Spikers are back to chanting, "Happiness, Cignal!" with this warm welcome, as shared by their team manager.
They have also signed up Ateneo Blue Eagles' Vanie Gandler to help shore up their lineup.
The HD Spikers, runners-up of the 2022 Reinforced Conference, look to bounce back after dropping to sixth place in the 2023 All-Filipino Conference.
(GM)