Though her age may suggest that she is past her prime, the 30-year-old Rachel Daquis shows that she can still hang with today’s up-and-coming stars.
The Far Eastern University legend had an incredible 2018 Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Invitational Cup, leading Cignal HD to a surprising bronze medal finish.
With her best friend Jovelyn Gonzaga still recovering from an ACL tear, Daquis carried Cignal’s offensive cudgels like it was still 2011, norming 15 points per match.
Given their revamped lineup, Daquis considers a bronze medal a major acheivement.
“Personally, siyempre nagpakundisyon ako, so talagang ‘yung motivation ko na talagang gustung-gusto ko silang tulungan,” the nine-year pro shared after Cignal HD blasted Smart-Army, owing to her 18-point outburst. “Unang-una siyempre mapa-champion pero siyempre step by step yun. Patient ako sa process na yun, so ito ibinigay ni Lord yung third place, masayang-masaya kami kasi from seventh nung first time kami hinawakan ni coach naging third.
“So happy ako and sobrang cooperative ng teammates ko and ng coaches so ‘yun talaga yung nagdala.”
Daquis was also quick to credit Cignal head coach Edgar Barroga. Having campaigned for the National Team several times, Daquis emphasized the unique coaching she experienced from Barroga.
“Sa lahat naman ng naging teams ko, nagli-lead naman talaga ako. But, for coach Edgar kasi, nilabas niya lahat eh. Yung talent mo, lahat ng skills na pwede mo palang gawin,” the 5-foot-10 spiker recalled.
“Yung mga nagagawa mo nung college, nagagawa mo ulit ngayon. So grabe ‘yung tiwala niya. Ang sarap mag-ensayo kasi magugulat ka, ibabalik nya yung ganitong laro mo, ibabalik niya ‘yung ganitong mga spikes. So sobrang happy ako and thankful kay coach Edgar,” she added.
Looking forward, Daquis is excited to see her team’s potential unfold in the upcoming All-Filipino Conference.
“Parang one step forward na kami towards our goal. Gusto naming mag-champion, mag-back-to-back champion.
“Ang gandang dalahin at load nito para dalhin namin sa All-Filipino Conference and ‘di ba underdog kami? Pero pinrove namin na kaya naming lumaban kasi nagtutulungan kami. Buo kami and kung baga, lahat nagse-step up. Hindi lang isa, lahat, buong team,” the 2015 All Filipino Conference Finals Most Valuable Player closed.
