Rhea Dimaculangan-Villarete announced her retirement from professional volleyball on Thursday night, leaving a mark in the sport that will be remembered for years.
As she reflected on a decades-long illustrious career, the legendary playmaker shared how volleyball formed the person she is now in a two-part post on social media platform Instagram.
"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 said.
"Being an athlete has shown me what it means to show up every day and giving my all. It taught me how to dream big and relentlessly pursue those dreams. It has also given me opportunities to meet some of the most incredible people and live in the most memorable moments of my life," she added.
And with that, I am forever grateful for all the valuable lessons volleyball has taught me and the countless blessings it has brought to me," she went on.
A decorated playmaker, Villarete is the architect of the University of Santo Tomas' championship run in Season 72, and multiple podium finishes in Seasons 70, 71, 73, and 74.
She is also a multi-titled champion in the Philippine Superliga with Foton Tornadoes and Petron Blaze Spikers, and was also named Best Setter thrice and the Most Valuable Player in 2018.
Villarete garnered two bronze medals with the Creamline Cool Smashers last year and concluded her remarkable journey in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference.
