Rhea Dimaculangan relishes chance to play with Creamline in AVC

Rhea Dimaculangan.– PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Rhea Dimaculangan-Villarete relished her opportunity to play for champion team Creamline in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Champions League from April 20 to 27 at Philsports Arena.

Dimaculangan, who last played for PLDT in the first All-Filipino Conference last year, is honored to be tapped by coach Sherwin Meneses through her brother Karl, who is part of the National University coaching staff.

“Remember when I said in my interview before that if an opportunity comes, I’ll just grab it? Well, it just so happened that this one came. I just tried it. And Coach Sherwin was the one who actually reached out to me at that time through my brother,” said Dimaculangan in Filipino moments before Creamline’s Game 1 against Petro Gazz in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals on Tuesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

READ: Rhea Dimaculangan to play for Creamline in AVC Champions League

The veteran setter will be reunited with Meneses, who was her coach with Generika-Ayala in the 2020 Philippine Superliga before the COVID-19 lockdown halted the league.

“I think this is really the time that this opportunity is finally happening, where we’re going to be back on the same team. I’m really grateful for the trust he gave me and the opportunity,” Dimaculangan said.

“Training’s been really good, but of course, I still have a lot to learn since it’s a new system and new teammates. But because of their help, I’ve been able to pick up all their sets quickly. They’re always there to guide me.”

“When I started training again, my body missed the feeling of being sore. Plus, the excitement of having teammates again — I look forward to training with them, even though it’s tough. So yeah, it’s really exciting to be back,” she added.

She will also reunite with national teammate Alyssa Valdez and ex-Petron teammates Bernadeth Pons and Denden Lazaro-Revilla.

READ: Erica Staunton thrilled to play with full Creamline squad in AVC

“I’m really happy and excited that I got another chance to be with them. The feeling of being champions together before, and now having the chance to hopefully achieve that goal again, is just amazing,” she said.

The 34-year-old playmaker’s contract is until December, and she will also play in the next PVL conference later this year.

For now, Dimaculangan’s focus is Creamline’s international tournament, opening their Pool A stint on April 20 against Al Naser Club from Jordan before taking on Zhetysu VC of Kazakhstan on April 21.

“Of course, you have to accept and embrace the challenge. No matter how hard it is, it’s here, so you have to face it. Whatever adjustments I need to make, it’s still an opportunity for me to learn,” said Dimaculangan. “I’m here to support Kyle. Anytime she needs help, I’m there for her. I don’t feel the pressure; it’s on Kyle. I need to help her, too.”