This is the first time that i will post about a Athlete/Person.
This is about the Rachel Anne Daquis of FEU Womens Volleyball.
FEU's Rachel Ann Daquis: Holding her head up high
When she enters the volleyball court, the fans scream in unison.
FEU cheering squad’s drums beat a rhythmic and hypnotic beat seeming there to welcome the volleyball goddess. As she graces her followers with her presence, they are at awe. Many are amazed that a woman of her caliber is equaled only by her volleyball talent. With the frenzy, one thing was for sure, Rachel Anne Daquis, the business management and “volleyball goddess” of FEU, was in the building.
As the buzzer sounded on the FEU - Lasalle game 3 of the Season 71 UAAP Finals, The La Salle fans were celebrating, but one player was without a doubt hurt the most. Rachel Anne Daquis, also playing her last game with the Morayta-based squad, finished with 11 points in a losing cause.
Watching the game as the sea of green was jumping in joy, so much disappointment could be felt to the FEU fans. I heard a fan say in disgust, “No more back-to-back, we can try again next year.
A lot of questions loom. Why wasn't Rachel Ann Daquis on the court in the final minutes of the fourth set? Why was she on the bench sitting where all she could do is to keep her fingers crossed?
Where did FEU go wrong? In Game 2, everything looked all roses early as Rachel Anne Daquis scored 22 points there while Mecaila Morada added 19 for the Lady Tamaraws but unfortunately sputtered after winning the first set. Even though FEU lost, Rachel was there fighting. What I couldn’t comprehend is that why, off all games, was she on the bench on the last few minutes where the FEU volleyball goddess could have done something.
No FEU fan could forget FEU Lady Tam’s Game 1 victory over La Salle. Rachel Ann Daquis came up with 20 points, while Shaira Gonzales had 17 for the Lady Tamaraws. Game 1 was a huge game as the Lady Tamaraws then moved within one victory of clinching a record 30th overall title. FEU could literally smell the title as it was nearly within their grasp.
It seemed very simple to me, let Rachel Ann Daquis score 20 points and FEU could win. Of course, other players have to step up as well but you know what I mean, she must lead the way to victory. But how could FEU win with her on the bench? What was FEU sophomore coach Nestor Pamilar and asst. coach Jeremy Flo Pedregosa thinking? Its really something to think about as the next season looms.
Aside from being stunning, Rachel Ann Daquis is also street smart and cerebral when she needs to be on and off the court. Daquis, however, breaks the stereotype of the college athlete as a bonehead
"Ang akala nila sa athletes, walang utak," she said. "Hindi nila alam pinaghihirapan din naming ang nakukuha naming incentives sa school. Minsan kasi as athletes nahihirapan din kami, napapagod. Paminsan pagkatapos ng training ang gusto ko eh ang matulog na lang. Pag higa ko, hindi ko na kaya tumayo. Sobrang hirap ng training namin. Minsan pag hindi ko na kaya pumasok, kakausapin ko professors ko just to let them know (about my situation)."
Even until now, Rachel Ann Daquis is still perceived as masungit o mataray. The volleyball goddess of FEU denied being unapproachable, mataray, because of the way she looks.
"Wala naman nagbago sa akin," she said. "May mga tao kasi na insecure na minsan titignan lang ang hitsura ng tao pero hindi ka naman kilala at magbibigay na sila ng judgment sayo. Ibang-iba ang personalty ko sa hitsura ko. Akala nila mahilig ako sa gimik, sosyalan, pero ang gusto ko lang nagpapatawa at pasayahin mga tao. May pagka-kenkoy din kasi ako."
She is, however, wary of getting too friendly with just anyone, because they might turn out to be stalkers.
"Madaming stalkers," she said. "Nakakatakot sila. During the game, may nagpapaabot ng flowers or may kakausap sakin. Okey lang naman at fans pero sometimes, iba na ang boses nila. But despite that, pinapakita ko pa rin na friendly ako kasi madaming hindi nakakakilala sa 'kin at akala na mataray ako."
I’m sure many of you have seen Rachel Anne Daquis of FEU Women’s Volleyball Team in her attention-grabbing Active White commercial with basketball superstars Chris Tiu and Jai Reyes of Ateneo de Manila. That commercial solidified her as one of UAAP’s prettiest faces.
Rachel Ann Daquis may not have the fairytale ending like Michelle Datuin and Manilla Santos of La Salle experienced in their college UAAP career, but many still look up to her and admire her for what she was able to accomplish during her stay in FEU. Her fans were still electrified by her gameplay, she was without a doubt one of the greatest volleyball players in the country ever to play the game.
What is next for this volleyball goddess? Daquis herself may get international exposure of a slightly different sort.
Her mother is already a citizen of Germany, where she lives in Hanover. And Daquis, along with the rest of family, my soon migrate.
"Actually, hinihintay na kami ng mom ko sa Germany. Ako lang talaga ang gusto mag stay pa dito sa bansa."
She leaves the UAAP on a not so high note but nothing to be ashamed about. She is a fighter and a winner and no one can tell her otherwise.
Rachel Anne Daquis O
