Rachel Daquis’ during Farm Fresh’s opening game vs Cignal in the PVL All-Filipino Conference.–PVL PHOTO

ANTIPOLO— Rachel Anne Daquis’ PVL comeback will have to wait.

Still working her way back into top shape, Daquis missed Farm Fresh’s opening game against her former team Cignal in the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference on Saturday at Ynares Center Antipolo.

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Daquis wasn’t in uniform with Jheck Dionela, Jolina Dela Cruz, and Lorene Toring, cheering on the sidelines for the young Foxies. Alohi Robins-Hardy, who isn’t eligible to play, also supported the team with Daquis and Co.

READ: Rachel Anne Daquis returns to PVL, joins Farm Fresh Foxies

“Actually, maghihintay lang din tayo kung puwede 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,” the 36-year-old Daquis told reporters. “Kakasabay ko palang 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, sa ball training so ‘yun ‘yung winowork out ko.”

While she’s excited about her “fresh start,” Daquis is also reminiscent of her six-year stint with the HD Spikers as her teammates battle her old team.

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“Let’s face the reality. Talagang makakalaban at makakalaban ko talaga si Cignal. Kung ano ‘yung mga natutunan ko sa Cignal, kung ano ‘yung mga naging paghihirap namin, kung ano ‘yung as a whole, as a Cignal player, gusto ko madala sa aking new team na Farm Fresh. And I know makakatulong yun,” said Daquis.

During her one-year hiatus, Daquis spent her break managing their bakery in Barcelona, Spain, Forn de Manila. She also studied at the International School for Culinary, Arts, and Hotel Management — founded by Vanie Gandler’s father.

She chose to continue her storied volleyball career with Farm Fresh because it supported her career plans outside of volleyball. 

READ: PVL: Cignal shows potential coping with life after Daquis

“Siyempre hindi naman tayo forever volleyball player so meron tayong backup plans,” said Daquis. “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, So happy ako doon and yung pagwelcome nila sa akin yung Lao family para na din akong anak talaga.”

Daquis is also elated to see her best friend Jovelyn Gonzaga make her PVL comeback with their sister team ZUS Coffee. 

“Sa nilalaro niya sobrang proud na proud ako alam kong pinaghandaan niya yun. Nagfocus siya kung paano siya magpalakas and makabalik kasi nagpahinga din siya. Ayun open naman yung communication namin sa isa’t isa and yun yung naging strength naming dalawa na kahit di kami magkasama talagang nagtutulungan pa rin kami,” Daquis said.