Veteran setter Rhea Villarete revealed on Tuesday that she will be staying with Creamline not just for the upcoming AVC Women’s Champions League, but until the end of the year.
Villarete was already seen in Creamline pink, supporting from the sidelines during the Cool Smashers’ Game 1 clash against the Petro Gazz Angels in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference at the historic Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“So far po, ‘yung ano ko is siguro hanggang matapos AVC, then until December siguro, Creamline pa rin,” said Villarete.
The AVC Women’s Champions League is scheduled from April 20 to 27 at the Philsports Arena. Creamline is grouped in Pool A alongside Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu VC and Jordan’s Al-Naser Club.
Having trained with the Cool Smashers for about a month, the 34-year-old playmaker — who last saw competitive action in the 2024 All-Filipino Conference — admitted that she missed the grind and camaraderie of being on the court.
(C) PVL Images
“Actually nung nag-training ako, parang na-miss ng katawan ko ‘yung sakit ng katawan. Tapos ‘yung feeling na may mga teammates ka ulit, na palagi na nilu-look forward ko na makasama kahit gaano kahirap ‘yung training. So parang nakaka-excite, nakaka-excite na makabalik,” she shared.
“Actually sobrang okay, pero siyempre marami pa ‘ko kailangan matutunan kasi bagong sistema, bagong teammates. Pero dahil sa help din nila, mabilis ko naman nakukuha lahat ng mga sets din nila, tsaka palagi din nila ‘ko gina-guide.”
Though Villarete is the most experienced setter on the Cool Smashers roster — which includes starter Kyle Negrito, Mafe Galanza, and Bea Bonafe — she emphasized that she’s more than happy to serve as Negrito’s backup.
Negrito, despite initial doubts following Jia de Guzman’s departure to Japan, has proven her worth by steering Creamline to four consecutive PVL titles.
“Nandito pa rin ako para suportahan si Kyle. So anytime na kailangan niya ng help, nandoon lang din naman ako. Kumbaga, wala sa akin ‘yung pressure, na kay Kyle, so kailangan ko siya tulungan din,” Villarete said.
#WATCH: Rhea Villarete is all smiles as she embraces the unexpected opportunity to suit up for Creamline in the #AVCChampionsLeague 🏐
📹 @justinvalencia_ /Tiebreaker Times#PVL2025 pic.twitter.com/eYljV2KdAq
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 8, 2025
