Art by Angelika Mae Bacolod/ THE FLAME
FORMER UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses setter Rhea Dimaculangan-Villarete has officially announced her retirement from volleyball, bringing the curtain down on a decorated 26-year career in the sport.
Villarete shared a heartfelt message on social media on Thursday, January 8, reflecting on her journey and expressing gratitude to the people who stood by her throughout the years.
“Volleyball has been the source of so much joy for me in the past 26 years of my life,” Villarete said, crediting the sport for instilling discipline, resilience, and lifelong values.
Her retirement came days after her departure from Creamline ahead of the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) season.
“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 added.
Villarete played a pivotal role in steering the Golden Tigresses to the UAAP Season 72 championship, earning Finals MVP and Best Setter honors during the title run.
She further cemented her legacy by helping UST claim three Shakey’s V-League championships.
Villarete made her Philippine Super Liga (PSL) debut in the 2014 All-Filipino Conference, where she captured the Best Setter award and helped the RC Cola Air Force Raiders secure a silver-medal finish.
She transferred to Foton Tornadoes in mid-2015 alongside fellow Golden Tigress Maika Ortiz and steered the squad to a runner-up finish in the 2015 PSL All-Filipino Conference. She then played a key role in Foton’s championship run in the 2016 PSL Grand Prix Conference.
In early 2017, Villarete moved to Petron, signing a one-year deal with the Tri-Activ Spikers. She earned another silver medal in the 2017 PSL Grand Prix Conference before helping lead Petron to the 2018 Grand Prix title alongside her Golden Tigresses teammate Aiza Maizo-Pontillas. That same year, she was named Most Valuable Player of the 2018 PSL All-Filipino Conference.
Villarete later signed with the Generika-Ayala Lifesavers in 2020
In 2021, Villarete joined PLDT and spent three seasons with the High Speed Hitters before parting ways with the club in October 2024.
The two-time Shakey’s V-League Best Setter returned in 2025, to suit up for Creamline in the AVC Champions League before signing with the Cool Smashers for the remainder of the 2025 PVL season.
The former Thomasian wrapped up her career by helping Creamline secure two bronze medal finishes, formally closing her chapter in Philippine volleyball. F
