Rhea Dimaculangan-Villarete officially retired from competitive volleyball, closing a decorated 26-year journey that spanned the UAAP, club leagues, and the PVL.
After more than two decades, Rhea Dimaculangan-Villarete is officially stepping away from competitive volleyball, bringing the curtain down on one of the most accomplished careers in the Philippines.
The decision came shortly after she departed from the Creamline Cool Smashers, capping a nine-month run that ultimately became her final appearance in the PVL.
In a heartfelt farewell shared on social media, the 34-year-old looked back on a journey that began in childhood and grew into a lifelong calling, describing volleyball as both her refuge and her classroom.
“Volleyball has been the source of so much joy for me in the past 26 years of my life. It taught me discipline, resilience, teamwork, and respect making the volleyball court feel like home and my teammates and coaches like my family,” she wrote.
Dimaculangan-Villarete became the engine behind the UST Golden Tigresses, most memorably steering the program to its last UAAP women’s volleyball title in Season 72.
That title run earned her Finals MVP and Best Server honors, while her collegiate career also included a runner-up finish and three bronze medals.
Her excellence extended seamlessly into the club scene. In the Shakey’s V-League, she collected multiple championships, individual awards, and another Finals MVP citation.
Her Philippine Superliga tenure further elevated her standing. Across stints with Foton and Petron, she won four titles, finished runner-up three times, and captured three Best Setter awards. In 2018, she achieved a rare milestone for a playmaker by claiming the All-Filipino Conference MVP.
The final phase of her career unfolded in the PVL, where she suited up for PLDT in 2021 and represented Rebisco-Philippines in the AVC Women’s Club Volleyball Championship.
After briefly stepping away to focus on married life, she returned in 2025 with Creamline, adding two bronze medals before making her final appearances in the AVC Women’s Champions League and the Reinforced Conference.
“Closing this chapter is bittersweet, but it will forever be truly special. Volleyball will always be a part of me, and so will everyone who shared this journey with me,” she ended.
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.