Even if they have been part of numerous national teams, it never gets old for Lady Troopers Jovelyn Gonzaga and Rachel Anne Daquis.
A mainstay on multiple national teams, Daquis could not help but feel emotional while talking to the media at the Cuneta Astrodome press room. Often belittled and objectified, Daquis is well-aware of the backlash her selection will bring.
“Nakaka-pressure kasi hindi naman lahat ng tao naniniwala sayo,” the 28 year old said while failing to fight off tears.
“But pinagkakatiwalaan ko na lang ‘yung plano sakin ni Papa Jesus,” she continued. “So ibibigay ko na lang ‘yung best ko and alam ko naman na bawat isa sa amin may role.”
“So kung ano man ang ibigay samin na role paninindigan na lang naming. Blessed naman kami na nakuha kami.”
The former FEU Lady Tamaraw is thankful for the trust of the coaches and organizers for making her one of the first two selections.
“Nagpapasalamat ako (na ako isa ako sa unang tinawag) kasi may tiwala sakin ‘yung PSL at ‘yung mga tao behind this. I know na may sari-sarili kaming role for this and sabi ko nga kung ano man ‘yung role na ibigay sakin siyempre gagampanan ko sa puso ko,” the Rizal-native added.
“We cannot please everyone for me as an athlete ta-try ko ‘yung best ko magtetrain ako mabuti para mawala ‘yung mga doubt na pinapakita sakin at mga naririnig ko sa ibang tao,” the former PSL MVP vowed.
For Gonzaga, her tears came from a place of happiness. She came from the humblest of beginnings in a small town in Guimaras to now playing on a world stage.
“Eto na siya (‘yung pangarap ko mula pagkabata) pero actually hindi ako nag-expect kasi ayoko ma-hurt. Like what I’ve said, binigay ko lang kung ano ‘yung binigay ni Papa God sa akin na talent. Thankful ako para kay Papa God. I owe it to him lahat ng ‘to dahil sa kanya,” a beaming Gonzaga shared.
The 24 year old set her expectations in saying that she was not hoping for her name to be called during the ceremonies.
“Natanggal na ‘yung pressure. Actually iniisip ko siya, I can’t deny [it]. I’m just human,” Gonzaga shared. “Pangarap ko kasi ‘to. Hindi ko ma-set aside na okay lang na hindi ako matanggap. “
“Kinakalaban ko ‘yung utak ko at sinasabing okay lang pero deep inside hopeful talaga ako na sana mapili ako and Thank you kay Lord talaga!.
Most importantly, Gonzaga dedicates this achievement to her compatriots and to her family especially to her mom who passed away.
“Para sa family ko ‘to lalo na kay mama kasi pangarap naming tong dalawa and kahit nasa heaven na siya eto na. I-cocontinue ko ‘yung promise ko sa kanya.
“Para din ‘to sa lahat ng mga nasa PRISAA. Dun ako nanggaling at sa lahat ng taga-probinsiya para sa kanila ‘to. Eto ako na nag-step up sa field na pinili ko at sa sport na sobrang mahal ko.”
