After 551 days, Rachel Anne Daquis returned to the taraflex, making her Farm Fresh debut in a four-set win over Galeries Tower in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
After 551 days, the Queen has returned to the taraflex.
Rachel Anne Daquis made her debut for Farm Fresh in the Foxies four-set win over the Galeries Tower Highrisers, 28-26, 17-25, 25-19, 25-17, in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig on Thursday, January 30.
Daquis finished with just one point in two sets. Despite her long break from the sport, the veteran spiker admitted that it didn’t take that long to figure out her role on the court.
“Ang lamig ko sa labas. Pero nung pinasok na ako sa court, alam ko naman ‘yung gagawin ko eh. Kahit nag-bakasyon ako, pero siyempre iba na din pinagdaanan natin sa volleyball career,” Daquis said during the post-game press conference.
The former FEU star signed with the Foxies back in October 2024 after starting her bakery business in Spain.
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While it took some time to make her Farm Fresh debut, Daquis is putting her trust in interim head coach Benson Bocboc as to when she will be fielded in the team.
“Siguro mas maniniwala ako sa perfect timing kasi mahaba-haba pa ‘yung laro so naniniwala ako doon, naniniwala ako sa sistema ni coach Boc and ‘yung timing kung kelan papasok at magpapalit ng tao. So, ayun tiwala lang ako and ready naman ako anytime,” Daquis explained.
RAD’s 21-year volleyball career has been filled with success wherever team she went.
Whether it was with the FEU Lady Tamaraws, the Petron Blaze Spikers, or the Cignal HD Spikers, Daquis has been a winner at every level.
[ALSO READ: 'Queen RAD' Rachel Anne Daquis reflects on her reign and PH volleyball’s evolution | Off the Record]
But now with the Foxies, Daquis’ personal goal is much more different to her earlier days.
“Sobrang meaningful nitong comeback personally. Wala na ako hinahabol sa career ko, para na ito sa mga bata,” said Daquis. “‘Yun ‘yung magiging biggest contribution ko sa kanila is kung paano ako mag-lead sa loob ng court, paano sila maging intact na puwede nila sundan. Gumagawa lang tayo ng blueprint para sa kanila.”
“Kita mo naman 33 points [si Tubu] andiyan na lahat, kumpleto na ‘yung bala. So, paano na lang namin lalaruin ‘yung laro namin at kung ano ‘yung matutulong ko na maging intact sila, parang i-glue sila,” she added.
The much-wiser and experienced Daquis also made sure to change her attacking style, much more suited for the game nowadays.
“Siguro before I loved playing with power, ngayon I love playing smarter. Sa ensayo palang ginugulangan ko na ‘yung mga teammates ko,” said Daquis.
“‘Yun ‘yung nasa isip ko, mindset ko na hindi mo always need ng power, ngayon kailangan mo maging mas matalino kasi sa dami na ng batang malalakas ngayon, lamang pa rin ang matalinong maglaro so ‘yun ‘yun talagang ina-eye ko na mapunta doon.”
Daquis and the Foxies will be back on Tuesday, Feb. 4 when they take on the PLDT High Speed Hitters, still at the PhilSports Arena.