Much has been said about the timeless duo of Jovelyn Gonzaga and Rachel Anne Daquis, popularly known as Gonzaquis.
But on Tuesday, during the night when the HD Spikers swept Choco Mucho to enter the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference semifinals, Gonzaga added another piece to the famed partnership.
The “Bionic Ilongga” stated that head coach Shaq Delos Santos is also a significant part of the success of Gonzaquis.
Gonzaga shared that whenever she teams up with Daquis, it always results in a spot in the semis or even the finals.
“Alam mo nakakatuwa kasi tuwing nagsasama kami ni Rachel nakakapasok kami ng semis, nakakapasok kami ng finals. No bragging ha,” said Gonzaga, who returned to Cignal just this conference.
“So iba talaga yung laro ko kapag nandiyan si Rachel and syempre i-self proclaim ko na iba rin ang laro ni Rachel pag nandiyan ako.
“Feeling ko it all boils down sa trust talaga kung bakit naging ganito kami kasi si Coach Shaq 2019 nung kakabalik ko lang galing ACL injury, tanggap ko na na hindi na ako makakabalik sa national team, tanggap ko na na wala lahat kasi syempre tumaba ako pero si Coach Shaq yung tao na unang nagtiwala sa akin, na lumapit na balik ka, laro ka sa national team,” she shared.
That’s why when Army took a leave of absence in the PVL, coming back home to Cignal was a no-brainer.
Delos Santos himself is thrilled to have Gonzaquis reunited, as they are a big factor for the HD Spikers, especially during crucial games.
“Nagtatanong nga sila sa akin bakit sa Cignal ako bumalik, may nagrecruit sa akin na ibang team, sabi ko sanay na ako sa program ni Coach Shaq, alam ko tiwala ni Coach Shaq sa akin, nandiyan si Rachel Ann Daquis, ayaw ko na magsimula pa ulit so nagboil down lahat sa trust,” continued Gonzaga.
“Mas nanaig sa akin yung tiwala ko and kung gaano ko kakilala yung mga players ko lalo meron akong ganitong klase ng player, may leader talaga na kayang controlin yung team namin,” said Delos Santos.
“Marami pa kaming plano. Before pa naman magkakasama na kami, another opportunity and blessing na magkakasama ulit,” he added.
Daquis, on her part, said that communication and familiarity played key roles in Cignal’s success this conference. They went 4-1 in Pool B to reach the semifinals.
However, she admitted that nerves still affect them, no matter how used to these situations they are, but effective communication overcomes those feelings.
“Nagsstruggle din kami, may challenges, may kaba. Siguro yung nagmamatter lang din yung communication,” said Daquis.
“Kanina nga sinabi namin ni Jovs tignan mo Day, iba tayo kapag maglalaro yung mga crucial ba, tingnan mo si Coach Shaq yung tiwala niya sa mga senior niya kapag papasok ng tao kapag crucial.”
