Jovelyn Gonzaga (left) and Rachel Daquis were named to the Philippine Superliga team that will compete in the 2016 FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship
Manila, Philippines, July 1, 2016 – RC Cola-Army stars Rachel Anne Daquis and Jovelyn Gonzaga officially became the first two members of the Philippine Superliga (PSL) team that will compete in the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship in Manila from October 18 to 23.
PSL president Ramon Suzara made the announcement on Thursday, saying that Daquis and Gonzaga have what it takes to represent the country in the world stage following an impressive performance in the tryout last week.
Suzara handed a jacket and a golden ticket to the Lady Troopers signifying their qualification in the prestigious tournament, where seven of the world’s best club teams from Brazil, Japan, Italy, Turkey, Switzerland and Thailand will be seeing action.
They will be formally presented to the media in the tournament’s official launch on July 12.
“Rachel and Jovelyn are two of the country’s best players,” Suzara said. “That’s why it is only fitting to invite them to be part of the team that will compete in the best club tournament in the world. We welcome Rachel and Jovelyn on board and we hope that they will do everything to make us proud.”
Daquis is a veteran international campaigner and former PSL Most Valuable Player, whose deadly combination of power and beauty turned her into an instant fan-favourite.
The same way goes for the left-handed Gonzaga, who donned the national colours in the beach volleyball tournament in the 26th Southeast Asian Games in Palembang before skippering the national team in the 28th Southeast Asian Games in Singapore last year.
With Daquis and Gonzaga safely in, only five slots are at stake for local players while seven slots will be given to foreign players. The PSL will start introducing the remaining members of the team next week.
Aside from the PSL All-Star team, also competing are Rexona Ades of Brazil, Bangkok Glass of Thailand, Volero Zurich of Switzerland, Hisamitsu Springs of Japan, Eczacibasi VitrA Istanbul and VakifBank Istanbul of Turkey, and Pomi Casalmaggiore of Italy.