Rachel Anne Daquis overcame cramps and delivered a vintage performance, scoring 19 points, including the match-winning kill, to lead Farm Fresh to a thrilling comeback victory over Capital1 in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
The Foxies clawed back from a two-set deficit to secure an 18-25, 21-25, 26-24, 25-19, 15-12 win, proving their resilience despite missing key player Trisha Tubu due to a back injury. While the victory may or may not secure Farm Fresh a Top 6 spot, it provided a crucial confidence boost heading into the next phase of the tournament.
Daquis, who came out of retirement last year to bolster Farm Fresh’s campaign, provided leadership and poise in critical moments while delivering the firepower needed to keep the Foxies in contention.
“I just wanted to help the team and do my job,” said Daquis in Filipino. “I struggled in the first two sets, but we adjusted as a team, and that’s how we were able to recover.”
Farm Fresh trailed in the spiking department, 66-69, but dominated at the net with a 12-3 blocking advantage, a key factor in securing the hard-fought two-hour, 23-minute victory.
With the win, Farm Fresh moved to No. 6 with a 5-6 record, while Akari, also at 5-6, slipped to seventh. Chery Tiggo (5-5) and ZUS Coffee (4-6) followed in the standings. However, the final rankings will be determined after the last preliminary match on Saturday.
Beyond her scoring, Daquis showcased her all-around game, recording 13 excellent digs to complement libero Janel Delerio’s 21-dig effort. Her ability to balance offense with solid floor defense helped neutralize Capital1’s relentless attacks.
For a while, Capital1 seemed in control after dominating the first two sets and fighting back from a deficit in the third to force an extension. But Daquis and Aly Bertolano took charge in the crucial moments, rallying the Foxies back into the match.
Riding their momentum, Farm Fresh took control of the fourth set before pulling ahead in the decider. The Solar Spikers threatened a comeback at 11-12 after a Heather Guino-o kill, but the Foxies used a successful challenge on a block touch involving Caitlin Viray to widen the gap. Rizza Cruz then delivered a quick attack for 14-11, putting the Foxies at match point.
Despite battling cramps, Daquis returned for the final play and sealed the victory with a powerful crosscourt kill, displaying veteran composure under pressure.
“This is the kind of battle I love—high-stakes, down-to-the-wire matches,” Daquis said. “I’m happy with the result, and we’ll continue to work hard as we move forward.”
Even without Tubu, the Foxies displayed depth and balance in their offense. Alongside Daquis’ 19-point performance, Caitlin Viray contributed 14 points, Rizza Cruz added 13, while Pierre Abellana and Aly Bertolano chipped in 10 each.
Capital1, despite the heartbreaking loss, had a strong offensive showing, with five players finishing in double figures. Guino-o led the Solar Spikers with 16 points, followed by Leila Cruz with 15, Sydney Niegos with 14, and Des Clemente-De Guzman and Jorelle Singh, who scored 11 each. However, their inability to close out the match after a two-set lead proved costly, as they finished the prelims with a 1-10 record.
