Daquis happy with rise of volleyball, vows title for Ateneo

MANILA, Philippines — Once the face of Philippine volleyball, Rachel Anne Daquis is truly proud and happy that the sport is growing in popularity nowadays.

Now playing for Ateneo de Manila University, Daquis only hopes that volleyball reaches heights they have never reached before.

Daquis steered Far Eastern University to a UAAP championship and two more finals appearances in her time with the Lady Tamaraws, making a name not just for her charming looks but also for her ferocity inside the court.

However, her dream run with FEU almost never came into fruition.

“Sa UP muna ako nag-tryout noon pero hindi ako nakuha,” Daquis shared of her first attempt to get into a UAAP squad. “Dapat sa UST din, pero wala sila.”

The Lady Maroons and the Tigresses’ loss became the Lady Tamaraws’ gain, with Daquis emerging as one of the most popular Filipino volleyball players of her time during her stint in Morayta.

The 25-year-old outside hitter said that her UAAP journey molded her into the powerful and beautiful spiker that a lot of people admire today.

“Three years akong nasa Finals and magandang exposure yun,” the Business Management graduate added. “Nadagdagan talaga experience ko.”

Time for a pro league

With the rise in volleyball’s profile, Daquis believes that it is time to have a professional league in place in the country.

“Kailangan ng players yun,” she said. “Kase after nilang mag-graduate, wala na silang napupuntahan.”

Daquis might be getting her wish soon, as reports abound that a couple of groups are putting up a pro league for Filipino volleyball players and Daquis would surely be one of the first to get drafted into it.

But before getting her feet wet on the pro ranks, Daquis seeks to end her V-League campaign with a championship with Ateneo.

“Syempre babawi kami sa Sunday,” she said after losing Game 2 to National University, a game in which she scored just 4 points as the Lady Bulldogs swept them.

But like what she has done in the past, Daquis promises one thing: they will bounce back and her leadership and experience will help the Lady Eagles get to the Promised Land. – Rappler.com