Rachel Daquis will forever own Number 3 of the Green and Gold.
Far Eastern University, where Daquis’ career started, honored the UAAP Season 71 champion by retiring the number 3 for the Lady Tamaraws. Daquis’ jersey now hangs with FEU basketball legends Johnny Abarrientos’ number 14 and Arwind Santos’ number 19 in the rafters of the FEU Gym in Morayta, Manila.
The two-time UAAP Best Server was overwhelmed by the occasion. In her speech before a crowd of fellow Tamaraws, Daquis traced her journey from a just a tall girl looking for a school that would take a chance on her to one of the catalysts of the improvement of Philippine volleyball.
“Isang araw, nangangarap lang ‘din ako makapasok at makapaglaro para sa isang university. Noong araw na ‘yun, hindi ako binigo ng FEU,” Daquis recalled.
The former Philippine Superliga MVP first went to UST to tryout but the then UAAP powerhouse were not in their España campus. Despite admittedly having zero volleyball skills, Daquis was taken in by the Morayta-based program. At 5-foot-10 with long arms, Daquis had the makings of a volleyball star.
But she had to wait and to work before she got her chance at UAAP stardom.
“Naalala ko noon kapag nakikita ko ‘yung teammates ko naiiyak ako kasi sila marurunong na. Hindi ako marunong magspike, magserve. So from there alam ko na I had to work for it. May dream ako, kailangan kong tiyagain. Very thankful ako kasi may coaches ako na believed in me, that pushed me kahit akala ko di ko na kaya.
“‘Yun talaga ‘yung nadala ko from experience ko dito – kailangan kong magtiyaga, kailangan kong alagaan ‘yung sarili at career ko kasi may gusto akong ma-achieve,” the resident of Taytay, Rizal shared.
In her second year, Daquis finally broke into the Lady Tams’ starting six, winning the Best Setter plum.
“Sabi ko nga sa coaches ko, ‘coach baka binigyan lang ako ng award kasi nacu-cute-an sila sa akin.’ Sabi nila na deserve ko naman daw pero hindi ako agad naniniwala. Until mapanalunan ko siya noong third year ko ulet saka ko lang tinanggap na may talent pala ako,” Daquis, who has been part of multiple National Teams, added.
The rest is history. Daquis’ final two years for FEU yielded a championship and another Finals appearance. Along the way, she further helped popularize volleyball with her stints in the Shakey’s V-League as a mainstay in powerhouse Army rosters and a fixture as a guest player in the collegiate conference.
“I’m very thankful kasi nabigyan ako ng FEU ng chance to improve myself and to prove myself. Dito ko nagkaroon ng chance to make my parents proud – nakita ng parents ko how I worked from hindi ako marunong up to nakakalaro na ako ng maayos,” the 29-year old spiker continued.
But perhaps Daquis’ most treasured memory in college was how they let her make a late graduation march. She recalled missing her initial chance to march as she was visiting family in Germany. She went to all of FEU’s administrators and was surprised when she was granted her request.
“Sobrang nakakaiyak kasi they told me na I deserved it – na makalakad sa stage as graduate. Ang laking bagay sa akin noon kasi hindi lahat napagbinigyan ng chance to walk late. Ang laking bagay sa akin na binigay sa akin ng FEU ‘yung moment na ‘yun to close my student life,” she reflected.
Everywhere she went, Daquis carried herself with grace and humility. Her career has taken her to multiple National Team stints and a spot on the Philippines’ Women’s Club World Championship squad. Throug all these, Daquis proudly brought FEU’s name with her.
“Gusto ko sanang maging inspiration sa inyo [FEU athletes]. Na magtiyaga, mag-strive, and always reach for your goals. Walang imposible. Kailangan lang talaga tiyagain,” she told each and every one in attendance.
And Daquis will forever be an inspiration to not only the student-athletes of FEU but also every student-athlete out there.
