Rachel Ann Daquis’ jersey retirement was a festive and emotional affair. Personalities that helped the 29-year-old all throughout her stay with FEU were present to witness her jersey number raised to the rafters of the R. Papa Gym.
But noticeably absent both in physical presence and in the speeches was coach Nes Pamilar. One of Daquis’ biggest career highlights was her UAAP Season 70 championship. Pamilar was the one calling the shots for that batch of Lady Tamaraws.
A week after the ceremony, Pamilar shared that he harbors no ill will towards Daquis.
“Masaya kasi ino-honor ng FEU ‘yung mga ginawa niya. Sana maging successful pa siya sa mga future endeavors niya,” Pamilar told Tiebreaker Times.
The celebrated mentor also confessed that he was invited to the ceremonies but he still could not find it in himself to return to FEU as he has not gotten over how his beloved alma mater spurned him five years ago.
“Unang-una alam mo naman siguro ‘yung nangyare sa akin sa FEU. Actually, tinawagan ako pero may mga commitments ako sa wife ko na kailangan kong unahin muna,” he shared.
“Pangalawa, ‘yung nangyare sa akin doon, parang ‘di ko pa tanggap ‘yung mga ginawa nila sa akin. Masyadong marami daw silang totoong taga-FEU doon. Hindi ko alam ang ibig sabihin noon.
“Siguro kung may magsasalitang totoong taga-FEU, ako ‘yun ‘di ba? Elementary, high school, college, graduate ako ng FEU. Sobra-sobra ‘din siguro ‘yung na-commit ko diyan,” Pamilar expressed, denying to elaborate further on the conditions of his departure.
Although several people wondered why Pamilar was barely mentioned in the ceremony, Pamilar does not mind it. The ceremony after all was a celebration of Daquis’ FEU career.
“Marami ngang nagsasalita kung bakit daw ‘di ako pinasalamatan. Sabi ko walang kaso sa akin ‘yun. Kung ‘di niya ako naalala, walang problema. Hindi big deal sa akin ‘yun.
“Wala akong magagawa, ‘yun ang sinabi niya. Marami namang nakakita at naka-witness noon. Alam naman nila kung sino nag-coach. Sabi nga ng mga dating players ng FEU, bakit parang nakalimutan ako? Wala akong magagawa kung nalimutan sa akin. Walang kaso sa akin ‘yun,” the current head coach of the De La Salle University Green Spikers said.
