ANTIPOLO—Rachel Daquis, one of Philippine volleyball’s most beloved figures, is embracing a patient and deliberate approach as she marks her return to the sport she has dedicated much of her life to.
After a year-long hiatus, Daquis is set to don a new jersey with the Farm Fresh Foxies in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference. This move ends her six-year stint with Cignal, where she played an instrumental role since joining the team in 2017.
The 36-year-old icon, however, is keeping her expectations in check. Ahead of Farm Fresh's highly anticipated debut against her former team, Cignal, at Ynares Center in Antipolo, Daquis admitted she’s still working on regaining her peak physical condition.
“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,” Daquis said.
Having joined the Foxies just last month, the FEU alumna is focused on re-acclimating to the demands of professional volleyball.
“Kakasabay ko pa lang sa Farm Fresh last month eh, so kailangan makabalik ako sa kapa ng bola. Kahit nakakapag-workout ako, siyempre nag-stop ako sa paglalaro mismo, so ‘yun ‘yung wino-work out ko,” she added.
Daquis’ time away from volleyball was anything but idle. She dedicated herself to academics and entrepreneurship, earning a degree from the International School for Culinary Arts and Hotel Management (ISCAHM). The culinary school holds sentimental value for Daquis, as it was established by the father of her former teammate, Vanie Gandler.
In addition to her studies, Daquis ventured into business by founding **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,” Daquis shared.
After laying the groundwork for life beyond volleyball, Daquis is thrilled to return to the game she loves. Joining Farm Fresh has not only given her a platform to reignite her passion but also aligned with her desire to prepare for the future.
“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,” Daquis explained.
The warm reception she received from the team and its owners, the Lao family, solidified her decision to sign with Farm Fresh.
“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 said.
