Rhea Dimaculangan made her coaching debut in the UAAP as an assistant coach for Jerome Guhit’s University of the East in the Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament.
Despite embracing a new role, the legendary University of Santo Tomas setter remains open to returning to the Taraflex if the opportunity arises.
“Open pa rin. Actually, kung may opportunity na dumating, why not? Kasi itong coaching, dumating lang siya, so ginrab ko lang. Why not, diba? Ibang experience naman,” Dimaculangan said on Saturday after UE’s five-set loss to the University of the Philippines.
The 5-foot-7 playmaker last competed for PLDT in the Premier Volleyball League’s 2024 All-Filipino Conference.
She then took a leave of absence during the Reinforced Conference to focus on her married life after tying the knot with RJ Villarete.
Following the 2024 season, she officially parted ways with the High Speed Hitters.
Now stepping into the world of coaching, Dimaculangan feels thrilled that her first experience comes in the UAAP — the same stage where she made her name with the UST Golden Tigresses in the early 2010s.
“Actually, sobrang happy ako kahit ganon yung naging result ng game kasi nakak-amiss yung UAAP. Sobrang iba yung feeling na pagdating sa UAAP kasi labanan ng school spirit, so happy,” she said.
However, she admitted that shifting from player to coach comes with a new kind of pressure.
“Parang iba na kasi yung feeling ngayon na coach, ibang role na. Medyo nakakakaba, parang nakakakaba pala maging coach,” she added.
Her transition has been smoother because of the presence of her older brother, Jumbo Dimaculangan, who is also part of Guhit’s coaching staff with the Red Warriors.
The Season 72 Finals MVP is primarily focused on mentoring UE’s setters, Andre Bicar and Dave Poquita.
“Sobrang laking adjustment kasi, yun nga, kailangan ikaw na yung magtuturo eh. Tapos kailangan kung anong ma-observe mo, i-share mo agad sa mga bata,’” the 33-year-old playmaker shared.
She went on, “Naging madali siya kasi kuya ko and si Coach Jerome yung kasama ko. So sabi naman nila, ‘No pressure. Basta kung ano sa tingin mo yung na-o-observe mo, i-share mo lang din’.”
Still, Dimaculangan acknowledges the challenges of her new role.
“Hindi pala siya madali, actually. Mas madali pang maging player.”
