Rhea Dimaculangan-Villarete has been adapting well with the Creamline Cool Smashers as they get ready for the AVC Women's Champions League.
After nearly a year away from the sport, veteran setter Rhea Dimaculangan-Villarete is officially making her volleyball return—this time in Creamline pink.
The 34-year-old playmaker, who last suited up for PLDT in the 2023 PVL All-Filipino Conference before marrying longtime partner Raymond Villarete last June, is now part of the Cool Smashers' powerhouse lineup.
She joins a roster loaded with MVPs and champions including Bernadeth Pons, Alyssa Valdez, Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza, Michele Gumabao, Bea de Leon, and Kyla Atienza.
Dimaculangan is expected to reinforce Creamline when they open their Pool A campaign in the AVC Women's Champion's League against Jordan’s Al-Naser Club on April 20, and Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu VC the following day.
The former national team mainstay said the move came through a personal connection.
“Si coach Sherwin [Meneses] ‘yung talagang nag-contact sakin nung time na ‘yun through my brother,” Dimaculangan-Villarete shared ahead of Creamline’s Game 1 match against Petro Gazz in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Finals.
While adapting to a new team always brings challenges, the UST legend credits her new teammates for making the transition smooth.
“Actually, sobrang okay, pero siyempre madami pa ako kailangan matutunan kasi bagong sistema tas bagong teammates,” Dimaculangan-Villarete said. “Pero dahil sa help din nila, mabilis ko lang naman nakukuha ‘yung sets nila tsaka palagi nila ako ginaguide.”
Training with Creamline for about a month now, Dimaculangan-Villarete expressed genuine joy about returning to the grind.
“Actually, nung nag-training ako parang na-miss ng katawan ko—‘yung sakit ng katawan ko, tapos ‘yung feeling na may mga teammates ka ulit na palaging nilolook forward makasama kahit gaano kahirap ‘yung training. Nakaka-excite bumalik,” she said.
Dimaculangan-Villarete also confirmed that her current contract with Creamline will run through the AVC tournament and until the end of the year.
The veteran playmaker, who has served as a mentor to many young setters in the league, also reiterated her continued support for Kyle Negrito, Creamline’s starting setter.
“Andito pa rin ako para suportahan si Kyle, so anytime na kailangan niya ng help, nandun lang din ako,” she said. “Kumbaga sakin, wala sakin ‘yung pressure, nakay Kyle, so kailangan ko siya tulungan.”