Rachel Anne Daquis overcame cramps in stretch and turned back the clock with a vintage performance, scoring 19 points, including the match-winning kill, to steer Farm Fresh to a thrilling come-from-behind victory over Capital1 in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at the Philsports Arena.
The Foxies clawed their way back from a two-set deficit to secure a hard-fought 18-25, 21-25, 26-24, 25-19, 15-12 win, proving their resilience despite missing key player Trisha Tubu due to a back injury. While the victory may or may not push Farm Fresh into the coveted Top 6, it served as a major confidence booster heading into the next phase of the tournament.
Daquis, who came out of retirement last year to bolster Farm Fresh’s campaign, delivered not only leadership and poise in crucial moments but also the firepower needed to keep the Foxies in contention.
“I just wanted to help the team and do my job,” said Daquis in Filipino, reflecting on her performance. “I struggled in the first two sets, but we adjusted as a team, and that’s how we were able to recover.”
Farm Fresh actually moved to No. 6 spot with a 5-6 record, while Akari, also at 5-6, placed seventh. Chery Tiggo (5-5) and ZUS Coffee (4-6) followed in the standings. However, the final rankings will only be determined after the last preliminary match on Saturday.
For a while, it seemed as though Capital1 had the match under control. The Solar Spikers dominated the first two sets and even fought back from a deficit in the third to force an extension. But Daquis and Aly Bertolano took charge in the crucial stretch, rallying the Foxies back into the match.
Riding their newfound momentum, Farm Fresh dominated the fourth set before storming ahead in the decider. The Solar Spikers threatened a comeback at 11-12, following a Heather Guino-o kill, but the Foxies used a successful challenge on a block touch involving Caitlin Viray to widen the gap. Rizza Cruz then delivered a quick attack for 14-11, putting the Foxies at match point.
Despite battling cramps, Daquis returned to the floor for the final play and sealed the victory with a powerful crosscourt kill, showcasing her veteran composure under pressure.
“This is the kind of battle I love – high-stakes, down-to-the-wire matches,” said Daquis. “I’m happy with the result, and we’ll continue to work hard as we move forward.”
Even without Tubu, the Foxies displayed depth and balance in their offensive attack. Alongside Daquis’ 19-point performance, Caitlin Viray contributed 14 points, Rizza Cruz added 13, while Pierre Abellana and Aly Bertolano chipped in 10 points each.
Capital1, despite the heartbreaking loss, had a strong offensive showing of their own, with five players finishing in double figures. Guino-o led the Solar Spikers with 16 points, followed by Leila Cruz (15), Sydney Niegos (14), and Des Clemente-De Guzman and Jorelle Singh, who each scored 11. However, their inability to close out the match after a two-set lead proved costly as they finished the prelims with a 1-10 record.
