Conflict of schedule reason for nat’l team departure, says Daquis

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A conflict in schedule prompted national team standout Rachel Anne Daquis to leave the team on Friday, relinquishing her spot to Kim Kianna Dy.

Daquis, in a letter sent to Larong Volleyball ng Pilipinas Inc. Vice President Peter Cayco, said she is set to partake in “specialized training course” starting August 7, which is around the same time as the buildup for the 2017 Malaysian Southeast Asian Games late in the same month.

“I would like to regretfully inform you that I may not be able to fulfill my duties in the upcoming league as I just found out recently the competition schedule of the Southeast Asian Games will be in direct conflict with my decision of pursuing a specialized training course,” wrote Daquis in the letter.

READ: Daquis’ departure from national team saddens buddy Gonzaga

“This course I have mentioned is very essential in helping me achieve my long-term ambition to become one of the fitness ambassadors in our country and cannot just let the opportunity pass by. Given that it will be on a first come first serve basis, I have no other recourse but to enroll myself immediately since the opportunity to take it will only happen once for this year.”

Still, Daquis showed her support for the national team and thanked Cayco for including her in the national team albeit just being in the reserve squad.

“I would like to thank you for the opportunity to be chosen as one of the players for our Women’s Volleyball National Pool to represent our country for 2017. You know very well how passionate I am in playing the sport for many years,” wrote Daquis.

READ: Dy gets slot as Daquis leaves national team

“I am very grateful you have considered me to be included in the team line up but I feel there are other more capable candidates that can contribute more effectively to the team given the other priorities in my life that I must consider.”

Daquis added she’s “more than willing to join and play again given the opportunity.”