Local volleyball star Rachel Ann Daquis is set to be bestowed with a rare honor by her alma mater.
The Far Eastern University will retire the number three jersey of Daquis, the school announced Tuesday afternoon.
“Rachel was more than just a great player in FEU, she was the first superstar in UAAP Women’s Volleyball when the league became mainstream 10 years ago because of TV coverage. She actually became a bigger star after her time as a student-athlete because she continues to excel in the commercial leagues and captained several national teams, while also having a good career in modeling,” FEU athletics director Mark Molina said in the statement.
“For all her accomplishments, Rachel remains humble and driven just like when she first arrived in FEU to try out for a spot in the team.”
Daquis, who played for the FEU Lady Tamaraws from 2005 to 2009, helped bring the women’s volleyball championship back to Morayta during the 70th season of the UAAP, her senior year. In her five-year stay with FEU, she won a championship and two silver medals. In addition, she was crowned the Best Server in the 68th and 69th seasons of the league.
After her collegiate career, the 28-year-old has been part of various National Teams, most recently the 2015 SEA Games.
She has also won numerous accolades in the commercial leagues. She took home the Conference MVP tiara during the Shakey’s V-League Season 11 All Filipino Conference and the Finals MVP tiara during the 2015 Philippine Super Liga All-Filipino Conference. The 5-foot-11 opposite hitter was also named as the captain of Philippine-based club team F2 Logistics-PSL Manila during the recently-concluded 2016 FIVB Women’s World Club Championship.
Her number three jersey will join FEU basketball legends Johnny Abarrientos’ number 14 and Arwind Santos’ 19 on the rafters of the FEU Gym.
She will be the second volleyball player in the UAAP to have her jersey number retired. The number 14 of former De La Salle University Lady Spikers, Manilla Santos, was hung on the rafters of the Enrique Razon Sports Complex back in 2009.
The retirement ceremony will be held sometime during the UAAP Season 79 Women’s Volleyball season.
