RACHEL ANNE DAQUIS and Jovelyn Gonzaga are living their dreams, after getting spots in the team for the prestigious 2016 International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Women’s Club World Championship slated from October 18 to 23 at the Mall of Asia Arena from Pasay City.
Gonzaga and Daquis vow to give their best as they try to lead the squad that also includes Jaja Santiago, Kim Fajardo, Mika Reyes, Jen Reyes, Ces Molina and the seven imports, who will reinforce the Philippine Superliga Manila squad. Daquis, who was named the team captain, is coming off from a foot injury that sidelined her in the AVC Asian Women’s Club Championship. “Hindi dahil na-injure ako mawawala ‘yung pag-asa kong maglaro and ‘yung dream ko makalaro para sa Worlds,” the 28 year-old open spiker said.
“Hindi ako nagpahinga lalo akong nag-double time at sa tulong ng mga strengthening coaches ko naibabalik ko ‘yung dati kong form.”
Gonzaga, on the other hand, was fresh from her AVC stint with Foton Pilipinas and wants to double her effort in the FIVB meet.
“Ang laking benefit din nito sa akin kasi gusto kong magpalakas at matuto,” the 24-year-old opposite spiker said. “Magiging motivation ko rin ‘yung mga imports. Ang lalakas nila so gusto ko rin na mag-level up ‘yung performance ko at maganda kasi ang training sa amin ng mga coaches at mabilis mag-adapt ‘yung katawan namin.” Gonzaga and Daquis and the rest of the locals will be teaming up with Tinchaya Boonlert of Thailand, Ekaterina Krivets of Russia, Yevgeniya Nyukhalova of Ukraine, Lindsay Stalzer and Stephanie Niemer of the United States, Yuri Fukuda of Japan and Olympian Puerto Rican Lynda Morales for the tournament.
The two stars of RC Cola-Army admitted that communication has been a problem, as the squad is composed of different nationalities, but they believe that they will overcome it.
“Sobrang hirap pero kailangan ‘yung volleyball language na namin so hindi na ganun ka-struggle makipag-usap,” Gonzaga shared. “Ngayon medyo hindi pa ganun kaganda ‘yung jelling, pero I believe na sa one month na natitira mawo-workout namin ‘to.” “Nandito kami para tulungan din sila na matuto and alam naming makakatulong din sa team kung magkakaintindihan kami,” Daquis said.