Rachel Anne Daquis stepped up big time for the Farm Fresh Foxies as they pulled off the reverse sweep against the Capital1 Solar Spikers in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Rachel Anne Daquis seemingly turned back the clock in Farm Fresh’s reverse sweep over Capital1, 18-25, 21-25, 26-24, 25-19, 15-12, in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Daquis fired 19 points, built on 17 attacks and two blocks, to go along with 13 excellent digs to give the Foxies their fifth win in the conference—and more importantly, momentum heading into the qualifying round.
Despite a slow start, the veteran spiker knew she had to come alive for Farm Fresh, who had lost back-to-back games and were without star opposite hitter Trisha Tubu.
Daquis even battled through cramps in the fifth set before scoring the team’s winning point in the match.
“Actually, nung first and second [sets] nag-struggle ako pero mas na-motivate kasi kaya nga nandito ako para tulungan sila eh, hindi para mas bumaba kami,” Daquis said during the post-game press conference. “Hindi ko sinukuan ‘yung sarili ko and para sa team ko. Masaya ako nakabalik ako and nakatulong sa team.”
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It took some time for Daquis to find her vintage form for Farm Fresh after returning to the league last October.
But while she is still readying some aspects of her game, Daquis is looking to contribute in any way she can for the Benson Bocboc-led squad aside from her scoring prowess.
“Struggle pa ako eh kasi siyempre kahit nakabalik ako, kahit nagrerehab and nagbubuhat ako, ‘yung control sa bola pa din ‘yun pa ‘yung missing sakin. Pero hindi naman ako sinukuan ng team ko, talagang nilaban nila ako,” said Daquis.
“Mas may ilalabas pa tayo basta huwag tayo mag-stop matuto, mag-adjust, and ‘yun siguro mag-focus pa ako sa anong matutulong ko. So, kailangan ko tumibay sa receive kasi ‘yung mga teammates ko mamalo talaga eh, kailangan lang talaga namin maka-receive,” she added.
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Sitting with a 5-6 record for eighth place in the standings, the Foxies are looking to turn their up-and-down campaign to a winning run heading into the playoffs.
For Daquis, it starts with their five-set comeback which she says builds more character for the young Farm Fresh squad.
“Kulang pa talaga kasi kung okay kami hindi kami aabot ng fifth set eh, so una palang babanat na kami. So, ibig sabihin, kulang pa pero may progress. ‘Yun naman importante eh, ‘yung paangat kami one step at a time,” Daquis emphasized.
“Mas kailangan namin ma-build ‘yung character kasi ang talent nakay Farm Fresh na. Magagaling talaga sila, ang kailangan dito ‘yung lumalaban hanggang dulo.”