Daquis’ departure from national team saddens buddy Gonzaga

Daquis and Gonzaga are selected to the PSL team for the FIVB World Club Championships. Photo by Bong Lozada

Jovelyn Gonzaga and Rachel Anne Daquis have formed a volleyball partnership unlike no other.

The two represented the Philippines in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games, with Gonzaga as captain, and in the 2016 FIVB Women’s Club World Championship, where Daquis took the role of skipper.

And it wasn’t just in international competitions that the two wore the same uniform. They’ve shared the court as members of Philippine Army and now the two wear the red of Cignal in the Philippine Super Liga.

READ: Dy gets slot as Daquis leaves national team

Their partnership in the national team, however, came to an end Friday when the 29-year-old Daquis left the national team without giving any reason.

This left Gonzaga a void she now tries to fill.

READ: Daquis weighing free agency options

“Of course it’s sad because Buday is my buddy,” said Gonzaga of Daquis. “I became dependent on her on so many things and I’m comfortable whenever she’s around. Wherever she goes, I go.”

The national team is set to fly to Korea mid-July for training camp, and Gonzaga already knows what it would be like not having her longtime teammate.

“Of course, I will really miss her.”