Sports PH News | JS DEV Site

Tag: Joshua Retamar

  • Owa Retamar breaks new ground as first Filipino men’s volleyball import in Europe

    Owa Retamar breaks new ground as first Filipino men’s volleyball import in Europe

    The Alas Pilipinas Men playmaker, Owa Retamar is set to become the first Filipino men’s volleyball player to compete as an import in Europe after officially signing with Azerbaijan-based Ordu Sports Club for the 2026-27 season.


    Retamar is scheduled to leave for Azerbaijan on August 11, giving him ample time to acclimate to his new surroundings and develop chemistry with his teammates before the season officially begins. 

     

    Ordu Sports has already formally welcomed the Filipino setter as part of an ambitious roster assembled to compete at the highest level.

     

    His arrival also places him alongside some of the biggest names in international volleyball. Leading the club is decorated Italian star Ivan Zaytsev, whose career includes multiple podium finishes and awards in the Olympic Games, Volleyball Nations League, and European Championship. 

     

    The roster also features libero Lauri Kerminen, regarded as one of Europe’s premier defensive specialists, setter Axel Jacobsen, one of the sport’s elite playmakers, Czech opposite hitter Michal Finger, and Cuban standout Salvador Hidalgo Oliva.

     

    According to Retamar’s management, discussions with Ordu Sports had been underway for several months, with the club identifying the Filipino as the ideal player to direct its offense from the setter position.

     

    “This is a dream come true and a challenge that I’m truly excited to embrace,” Retamar said.

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

     

    Get the latest sports updates faster. Join the official Sports PH News Discord community today! https://discord.gg/defTe7KeT  


    “Playing in Europe has always been one of my aspirations because it allows me to compete against some of the best players in the world and continue growing as an athlete. While I may be wearing the colors of Ordu Sports Club, I know that I will still be carrying the Philippines with me on another playing field,” he added.

     

    Retamar’s early arrival is no coincidence as his representatives stressed that unlike other positions, setters require extensive preparation with teammates before competitive matches begin, making every training session before the season invaluable.

     

    “For a setter, joining the team ahead of the season is extremely important. Building chemistry with teammates cannot be rushed, and Joshua’s early arrival will allow him to fully integrate into the team’s system before official competitions begin,” his management, Virtual Playground, said.

     

    The move represents another milestone in a career that has steadily risen through Philippine volleyball.

     

    Retamar established himself as one of the country’s top setters during his decorated stint with National University, where he collected multiple UAAP championships and individual awards while helping build the Bulldogs into one of the league’s premier programs.

     

    He eventually carried that success onto the international stage as a mainstay for Alas Pilipinas Men, where his court vision and leadership have made him one of the national team’s most reliable playmakers.

     

    Before departing for Europe, Retamar also expressed gratitude to everyone who helped him reach the historic achievement.

     

    More than a personal accomplishment, Retamar’s signing signals a significant step for Philippine men’s volleyball. His success in one of Europe’s competitive professional leagues could reshape how international clubs view Filipino talent and pave the way for more local players to earn opportunities on the global stage.

     

    👉 Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

    📌 Follow our Facebook page Sports PH News today and join the community of passionate sports fans.

  • Alas Men setter Owa Retamar returns to Visakha VC aiming for unfinished business in Cambodia 

    Alas Men setter Owa Retamar returns to Visakha VC aiming for unfinished business in Cambodia 

    For Owa Retamar, returning to Cambodia is not simply about playing overseas again.

    It is about picking up where he left off.

     

    After helping Visakha VC secure a podium finish earlier this year, the Alas Pilipinas playmaker is set to reunite with the club for the upcoming Techo Volleyball Cambodia League 2026 season running from May to July.

     

    Retamar confirmed the development through social media, marking the start of another overseas chapter for one of Philippine volleyball’s top setters.

     

    “Masaya ako na makabalik dito kasi maganda ang naging experience ko with the team last time. We were able to finish third, so goal namin na mas mataas pa sana ang marating,” he said.

     

    His first stint with Visakha ended with a third-place finish in the Sar Kheng Cup, but the club now enters the new league season with bigger expectations after settling for runner-up finishes over the past two years.

     

    This time, Retamar is expected to take on an even bigger role as Visakha tries to finally get over the hump.

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

    The former NU Bulldogs star also understands the level of competition awaiting them in Cambodia’s professional scene, where multiple imports are allowed per team.

     

    “Sa league na ito, hindi lang limited sa isa ang allowed import, kaya expected na mas magiging matindi ang bawat game. Kailangan lang mag-adjust agad sa chemistry at preparation. Trabaho agad ako bukas,” said Retamar.

     

    Retamar brings with him valuable international experience gained from years of representing Alas Pilipinas on bigger stages.

     

    He was part of the Philippine squad that competed in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, where the country finished 19th overall, and also helped the national team capture a silver medal in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games before adding a bronze medal in the latest edition.

     

    Back home, Retamar has long established himself as one of the country’s premier setters, collecting multiple Best Setter awards in both the UAAP and Spikers’ Turf.

     

    Now, with another opportunity overseas in front of him, Retamar heads back to Cambodia carrying both familiarity and unfinished business.

     

    Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

    📌  Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!

  • Alas Pilipinas mainstay Owa Retamar heads to Cambodia to shine amid Spikers’ Turf hiatus

    Alas Pilipinas mainstay Owa Retamar heads to Cambodia to shine amid Spikers’ Turf hiatus

     Even with Cignal’s sudden leave from the Spikers’ Turf, Owa Retamar is set to keep the ball flying. The Alas Pilipinas Men setter will take his talents to Cambodia, suiting up for Visakha in the 4th Sar Kheng Cup from February 7 to March 1.

     

    The month-long tournament doubles as Cambodia’s national volleyball championship and allows teams to enlist one foreign guest player, giving Retamar the perfect platform to maintain form and showcase Filipino skill.

     

    “Accepting this invitation from Cambodia is my way of contributing to help sustain the visibility of Philippine men’s volleyball, especially amid the uncertainties surrounding our local teams,” Retamar said through VP Global, his management agency. “I’m excited to learn from the environment there and contribute in the best way I can.” 

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

    At 25, Retamar is already a decorated figure in Philippine volleyball, boasting four Spikers’ Turf championships and three best setter awards with Cignal. 

     

    He also played a pivotal role in Alas Pilipinas Men’s historic run at the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship last year and helped the national team secure a bronze medal at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.

     

    Retamar’s Cambodia stint highlights a growing trend of Filipino male volleyball players taking their skills overseas. He joins fellow imports like Bryan Bagunas in Japan, Marck Espejo in Taiwan, and Leo Aringo in Japan, proving that Philippine volleyball talent is gaining recognition beyond local shores.

     

    For Retamar, it’s more than just a temporary move—it’s an opportunity to keep competitive while serving as an ambassador for Philippine volleyball on an international stage.

     

    Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

     📌 Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!