Rhea Dimaculangan during a game in the PVL All-Filipino Conference on October 15, 2023.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Rhea Dimaculangan-Villarete is making her comeback with the Creamline Cool Smashers in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Champions League from April 20 to 27 at Philsports Arena.
The veteran setter was seen wearing a Creamline training kit in practice with American spiker Erica Staunton in an Instagram story by Michele Gumabao on Sunday.
Hours after the story surfaced online, Creamline announced the acquisition of Dimaculangan to join Kyle Negrito in orchestrating the Cool Smashers’ offense in the country’s upcoming hosting of the AVC Champions League.
READ: Erica Staunton thrilled to play with full Creamline squad in AVC
“A multi-awarded setter na magbibigay sa atin ng good vibes! We are so happy to have you here Rhea, and we’re looking forward na mapanood kang maglaro with the team,” said the Cool Smashers.
Terms of Dimaculangan’s signing wasn’t disclosed if it’s just for AVC or also for the next PVL season.
The 34-year-old playmaker last played for PLDT in last year’s first All-Filipino Conference before she tied the knot with Raymond Villarete last June.
Dimaculangan ended her three-year stint with the High Speed Hitters and has been working as University of the East men’s volleyball coach Jerome Guhit’s staff with her brother, Jumbo, in the UAAP Season 87.
The former women’s national volleyball team setter is set to bring her brilliant playmaking and leadership to the stacked Cool Smashers, led by MVPs Bernadeth Pons, Alyssa Valdez, Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza, and Gumabao as well as Bea De Leon, Pangs Panaga, Denden Lazaro-Revilla, and Kyla Atienza.
READ: UAAP: Rhea Dimaculangan relishing role as UE assistant coach
It’s also a reunion for Dimaculangan and coach Sherwin Meneses as they were on the same team with Generika-Ayala in the defunct Philippine Superliga that was cut short in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The former University of Santo Tomas star and Staunton will reinforce Creamline when they open their Pool A stint on April 20 against Al Naser Club from Jordan before taking on Zhetysu VC of Kazakhstan on April 21.
Fresh from a grand slam run last year, Creamline eyes a historic ‘five-peat’ in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference finals against Petro Gazz in a best-of-three series starting on Tuesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
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Dimaculangan’s former team PLDT and the Brooke Van Sickle-led Petro Gazz will also compete in the AVC Champions League.
