ANTIPOLO — Rachel Daquis is taking a cautious approach in her return to action.
After more than a year of absence, Daquis was signed by Farm Fresh for the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, marking the end of her successful six-year tenure with Cignal that began in 2017.
Ahead of the Foxies’ debut against Cignal at Ynares Antipolo on Saturday, the 36-year-old volleyball icon admitted that she has yet to reach her desired fitness level. As a result, she may need to sit out several games at the start of the five-month-long tournament.
“Actually, maghihintay lang din tayo kung pwede ako makakalaro. Wala pang certain time pero step-by-step gagawin kasi ayoko din naman na pagbalik ko ma-injure so dapat talagang 100% na kaya talaga,” said Daquis.
“Kakasabay ko palang sa Farm Fresh last month eh so kailangan makabalik ako sa kapa ng bola. Kahit nakakapag-workout ako, syempre nag-stop ako sa paglalaro mismo, so ‘yun ‘yung wino-work out ko,” she added.
During her time away from volleyball, Daquis returned to school and studied at the International School for Culinary Arts and Hotel Management (ISCAHM)—a school founded by the father of her former teammate, Vanie Gandler.
The two-time Shakey’s V-League champion also founded Forn De Manila, the first Filipino bakery in Barcelona, Spain.
“Pinagkakaabalahan ko guys, please support Forn de Manila. Tapos nag-aral ako sa school nila Vanie [Gandler] sa ISCAHM, sa ISCAHM family [ko] hello. Nag-aral lang naman ako para, siyempre, ‘di naman tayo forever volleyball player so meron tayong backup plans,” the 36-year-old FEU product said.
After laying a foundation for her life beyond volleyball, Daquis has returned to doing what she loves most. The Far Eastern University legend has found a new home with the Foxies, a team equally dedicated to supporting its players in preparing for life after their athletic careers.
“Actually nung una kong nakausap si Farm Fresh, ang pinakamagandang tumatak sa akin yung plano nila sa loob at sa labas ng volleyball. Alam mo ‘yun, hindi lang as a volleyball player yung plano nila sayo, hindi naman forever na player din tayo,” said Daquis.
“So happy ako doon and yung pag-welcome nila sa akin, yung Lao family, para nadin akong anak talaga. Sobrang thank you po sa Farm Fresh and kay Tito Frank,” she added.
