Daquis reunites with Gonzaga after signing with ZUS Coffee

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Philippine volleyball icon Rachel Anne Daquis will reunite with former teammate Jovelyn Gonzaga after inking a contract with the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, confirmed on Jan. 26, 2026.

Daquis’ recent offseason move came after her contract expired with the Farm Fresh Foxies, where she played for two seasons from 2024 to 2025.

Much of the transition buzz focused less on her new destination and more on Daquis’ reunion with Gonzaga, her former teammate during their heydays at Army and Cignal.

Although both superstars are already playing below their average minutes, Daquis’ and Gonzaga’s presence will bring an added boost to the young team’s locker-room atmosphere and sideline leadership.

With countless league championship titles and individual awards under the duo’s belt, the Thunderbelles just got stronger and are looking to make another stellar run when the Premier Volleyball League kicks off in February.

ZUS Coffee is coming off its best outing in the PVL, when it reached the grand finals stage of the Reinforced Conference.

Unfortunately, the young Thunderbelles fell to the now-disbanded Petro Gazz Angels on Nov. 30, 2025, in four sets.

The new ZUS Coffee one-two punch will be immediately tested on Feb. 3, 2026, when the Thunderbelles collide with the Bella Belen-led Capital1 Solar Spikers at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.

Aside from Daquis, ZUS Coffee also added Princess Robles, Ren Peñafiel, Karen Verdeflor, and veteran setter Chie Saet.

Calling the shots for the Thunderbelles will still be head coach Jerry Yee, bannered by the team’s core of AC Miner, Thea Gagate, Chinnie Arroyo, and Clo Mondoñedo.