Owa Retamar signs with Visakha in Cambodia

For the first time in his career, Owa Retamar will be suiting up as an import in an overseas league after inking a deal with Visakha for the 2026 Sar Kheng Cup in Cambodia. 

The development came after his former team, Cignal, announced its leave of absence from the upcoming Spikers' Turf Open Conference last week.

With the move, the 25-year-old Retamar will become the latest Filipino volleyball star to take his act abroad. Previously, his Alas Pilipinas teammate Marck Espejo signed with TSG Skyhawks in the Taiwan Professional Volleyball League.

Retamar already left the Philippines today to join his new club. 

"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 in a statement. 

"I’m excited to learn from the environment here and contribute in the best way I can."

Retamar is an accomplished setter, helping the national team capture a silver medal during the 2019 Southeast Asian Games here and a bronze medal during the 2025 edition in Thailand. 

He will now bring those wealthy experiences in Cambodia. 

The Sar Kheng Cup is also known as the Fourth National Volleyball Championship and has allowed each participating team to field a foreign player in the country's bid to raise the competitiveness in the league. 

Defending champion Svay Rieng Municipal Volleyball Club has already signed middle blocker Praful Sherigar from India. 

The Sar Kheng Cup will run from February 7 to March 1 at the National Olympic Stadium.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News