Cignal veteran Rachel Daquis drew praise from head coach Shaq Delos Santos on Wednesday.
Delos Santos was set to limit Daquis' minutes in the HD Spikers' Game One loss to Choco Mucho in the battle for bronze.
Obviously, that failed to materialize as Daquis, who asked Delos Santos to let her play, still suited up in three sets in the four-set loss. The 5-foot-10 spiker out of Taytay, Rizal finished with 10 points and eight excellent receptions.
"Yun nga, kanina kung napansin niyo yung first two sets, kumbaga nag-usap naman kami and sabi ko nga sa kanya basta ready lang ha. Alam mo yung parang ayaw ko talaga siyang ma-push na mapagod din ngayong game na 'to kasi inaalalayan ko siya. Hindi na rin siya bata," said Delos Santos
"Iba talaga yung fighting spirit niya e, sabi niya, 'Sige, coach ipasok mo ako diyan.' Kasi parang sabi ko, 'Ready ka lang, ita-timing ko lang yung pasok mo'," he continued.
Ria Meneses, who is nursing a right knee injury, as well as starters Angeli Araneta and Gel Cayuna also played limited minutes in the contest.
"Sobrang iniingatan namin kasi ganun namin ka-love yung players namin kasi ayaw talaga naming may mapahamak or madisgrasya," he said.
With this, players such as Klarisa Abriam and Marist Layug were able to showcase their skills for the HD Spikers. The former had 10 points while the latter finished with seven.
"Nakakatuwa in a sense na parang akala ng iba na wala lang sila, but sa amin kasi alam namin yung kaya nila and sabi ko nga kanina, ito yung opportunity para mailabas niyo yung talent niyo kasi minsan lang 'tong opportunity na ganito kaya ilaban niyo na, all out tayo," he said.
