Gonzaga thrilled to play with Daquis again

JOVELYN Gonzaga is thrilled to be reunited with good friend Rachel Daquis as she rejoined the Cignal HD Spikers less than a month before the 2023 PVL Invitational Conference begins.

“Rachel and I's friendship has stood the test of time. It feels good to be reunited with her and for sure we only have one goal in mind: the championship,” said Gonzaga in a statement posted by the team on social media on Wednesday, May 31, the same day the team announced her return.

TOGETHER AGAIN A file photo of Jovelyn Gonzaga and Rachel Daquis playing together for Cignal four years ago. CIGNAL PHOTO

“I know that she will fight for me and I will fight for her too and the team,” added Gonzaga.

The tandem of Gonzaga and Daquis, also referred to as “GonzaQuis,” clicked when they played together for Cignal in the now-defunct Philippine Superliga.

In 2020, Gonzaga left Cignal and joined the Army Lady Troopers and Daquis remained with Cignal. But with Army skipping the upcoming Invitational Conference due to some of their players undergoing military training, Gonzaga returned to Cignal and is not just set to reunite with Daquis but also with her former Philippine women's volleyball team coach Shaq de los Santos.

Gonzaga will strengthen Cignal's wing spiker rotation that already has Daquis, Ces Molina, Chai Troncoso, Jerrili Malabanan, and new recruit Vanie Gandler.

“I'm happy to return to Cignal. I've experienced a lot in this team. I will be teaming up with them again and I'm excited for our campaign at this conference. I will lay it all on the line for Awesome Nation,” she said.