MANILA, Philippines – Far Eastern University (FEU) head coach Shaq delos Santos is hopeful of finding the next Rachel Anne Daquis – or at least a player of similar caliber who can again lift the Lady Tamaraws to the top of the UAAP.

Delos Santos and the Lady Tamaraws watched the retirement of Daquis' No. 3 jersey at the FEU Gym on Tuesday, and later toasted her legacy along with FEU officials and coaches.

FEU remains the winningest women's volleyball program in the UAAP, with 29 championships. But they have not won since 2008 when Daquis teamed up with Wendyanne Semana to lead the Lady Tamaraws to the Season 70 title against Adamson.

• READ: FEU retires Rachel Anne Daquis' jersey number 3

"Hopefully, magkaroon ulit ng ganoong player," Delos Santos said of Daquis, a two-time Best Server who also went on to have a glittering career in the semi-professional volleyball leagues.

"Pero siyempre, hindi naman ganoon kadali," he added. "Sinabi niya na nga kanina."

In a speech after the unveiling of her jersey, Daquis recalled her early days with FEU, when she was a walk-on who did not know the basics of the sport. It took tremendous hard work and dedication to turn her into one of the best all-around players in the league.

Delos Santos was grateful that Daquis made the revelation in front of his team, who are considered contenders in the upcoming UAAP Season 79 women's volleyball tournament.

"Good thing na na-share niya kung ano ang naging key niya bago niya narating 'yung kung anong meron man siya ngayon," he said. "Malaking bagay 'yun para sa mga players namin. Ina-idolize naman talaga siya ng mga bata, so sobrang thankful kami."

While FEU has not lacked for stars even after Daquis' graduation, none of them has reached her level of popularity. FEU's Anton Montinola has called Daquis "the first real superstar of women's volleyball in the Philippines," the precursor to current stars like Alyssa Valdez and Abigail Maraño.

Delos Santos said that if they can't get another Daquis, they will settle for someone who can live up to the standard she has set.

"Lahat naman, especially kaming mga coaches, 'yun din 'yung gusto naming mangyari," he said.

"Kung hindi man totally maging Rachel Anne Daquis, pero 'yung maka-create din siya ng sarili niyang pangalan, at alam namin na kikilalanin na taga-FEU din siya," he added.

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