Filipino Volleyball Players Playing Abroad 2026: Rankings and Complete List

As of August 2026, the number of Filipino volleyball players playing abroad continues to grow — from the courts of Asia to the arenas of Europe, more Filipinos are now proving their talent in various countries. The latest milestone: Owa Retamar of Alas Pilipinas became the first Filipino to play in the 2026–27 CEV Volleyball Challenge Cup in Europe, while Thea Gagate joined Denso Airybees in Japan in late July. This is a summary of all Filipino volleyball players currently active abroad, along with their leagues and significance on the national stage.

Why Is the Number of Filipino Volleyball Players Abroad Continuing to Grow?

According to Tiebreaker Times, PVL chief Ricky Palou stated that the Premier Volleyball League is open and supportive of players who want to test their talent overseas. This attitude from the local league is one of the main reasons why more Filipinos are finding pathways to countries that were previously unreached by our athletes in the field of volleyball. The growth of global volleyball — especially in Asia — is opening up more slots for import players, and Filipinos are among the most in-demand.

Filipino Volleyball Players Playing Abroad 2026: Complete Rankings and List

Based on reports from Inquirer Sports and other trusted news sources as of August 2026, here are the Filipino volleyball players playing abroad along with their rankings based on league significance and milestones:

According to data from Rebanse, many additional Filipino men have had overseas stints in recent years, including Marck Espejo who played in Bahrain in November 2020 and in Taiwan thereafter.

Owa Retamar: First Filipino in Europe and the Most Historic 2026 Milestone

The Journey to Ordu Sports Club

Alas Pilipinas setter Joshua “Owa” Retamar has become the central topic of all volleyball discussions in the Philippines this August 2026. According to Inquirer Sports, Retamar departed for Azerbaijan on August 15, 2026 to join Ordu Sports Club for the 2026–27 CEV Volleyball Challenge Cup — a European Cup competition running from November through April. Before this, he played in Cambodia as an import for Visakha in the 2026 Sar Kheng Cup, which was his first overseas stint after a successful career in the PVL.

“Owa Retamar is the first Filipino to play in the CEV Volleyball Challenge Cup — a milestone that proves Filipino volleyball talent is globally competitive.”

What This Milestone Means for Philippine Volleyball

Retamar’s stint in Europe is not just a personal achievement — it opens the door for the next generation of Filipino players to aspire to higher levels of international competition. The CEV Volleyball Challenge Cup is a prestigious European club competition under the Confédération Européenne de Volleyball, where teams from across Europe and its allied nations compete.

Thea Gagate and the Growth of the Philippines in the Japanese SV.League

According to a report by Abante on July 31, 2026, 6-foot-2 middle blocker Thea Gagate signed with Denso Airybees for the 2026–27 Daido Life SV.League season. The SV.League is one of the highest levels of volleyball in Japan and is recognized as one of the most competitive leagues in all of Asia. Notably, Gagate is the third Filipina import to play for a Japanese club, following in the footsteps of Julia Melissa De Guzman and Jaja Santiago (also known in Japan as Sachi Minowa).

Alyssa Valdez and the Pioneer Filipino Players Abroad

Long before the phenomenon of Filipino volleyball players abroad became mainstream, Alyssa Valdez was already laying the foundation. According to data from Volleyball World, Valdez remains active on the national team at age 33, and played for Alas Pilipinas in the AVC Women’s Cup 2026, where the Philippines defeated Uzbekistan, Australia, Kyrgyzstan, Korea, Chinese Taipei, and Iran in pool play. Prior to this, Valdez had already played for Thai club 3BB Nakornnont and the Chinese Taipei squad Attack Line — a historic career path that has inspired many young Filipino players.

Jaja Santiago and the News of Her Return to the PVL

One of the biggest stories of August 2026 is Jaja Santiago’s return to the PVL after a successful career in Japan. Based on a report by Inquirer Sports on August 20, 2026, Santiago is excited to team up again with Alyssa Valdez at Creamline for the PVL Invitationals beginning August 31. The experience Santiago brings from Japan is expected to be a great asset to the team. Her history in Japan — where she was known as Sachi Minowa — has become one of the most inspirational overseas stints of any Filipino volleyball player.

“Jaja Santiago’s return to the PVL proves that overseas stints are not a permanent closing of the door on the local league — but rather a step forward that strengthens each player’s game.”

Dell Palomata and Indonesia: A New Frontier for Filipino Volleyball

In November 2025, according to OneSports, PLDT’s Dell Palomata signed with Medan Falcons for Indonesia’s Proliga 2026 season. This move marked the first time a Filipino volleyball player competed in the Indonesian Proliga — yet another first on the long list of Filipino overseas milestones. Indonesia has one of the most passionate volleyball fan bases in all of Asia, making Palomata’s presence significant not just for her personally, but for the landscape of Filipino volleyball as a whole.

Complete Table: All Known Filipino Volleyball Players Abroad 2026

History: How Filipino Volleyball Abroad Became Possible

Filipino volleyball players becoming known around the world did not happen overnight. According to data from Tiebreaker Times, when Jia De Guzman signed with Japan’s Denso in 2023, the number of Filipinos playing abroad had already reached six players — a number that demonstrated rapid growth from the early days when only one or two Filipinos dared to venture overseas. Within three years, that number doubled or more, and the destinations expanded from Asia to Europe. The success of Alas Pilipinas in international competitions — such as the AVC Women’s Cup 2026 where the team notched consecutive wins according to Inquirer Sports — serves as proof to foreign leagues that the quality of Filipino players is world-class.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who is the most famous Filipino volleyball player playing abroad right now?

As of now (August 2026), Owa Retamar is the most prominent name as he is the first Filipino in the CEV Volleyball Challenge Cup in Europe, playing for Ordu Sports Club in Azerbaijan. On the women’s side, Thea Gagate is the newest and most talked-about after signing with Denso Airybees of the Japanese SV.League on July 31, 2026.

What country is the most popular destination for Filipino volleyball players?

Based on available data, Japan remains the most popular destination for Filipino volleyball players — especially for women. The Japanese SV.League is recognized as one of the most competitive leagues in Asia, and Filipino players like Jaja Santiago, Jia De Guzman, and Thea Gagate have proven they can compete with the best on the continent. Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan, and Cambodia are other destinations.

Does an overseas stint affect national team selection?

According to data from Business World regarding the Alas Pilipinas SEA V Cup lineup, overseas stints are not a deterrent to national team inclusion — in fact, overseas-experienced players like Alyssa Valdez and former Japan-based Jaja Santiago are still actively called up for Alas Pilipinas. Overseas experience typically strengthens a player and raises their level of competition.

When did the trend of Filipino volleyball players going abroad begin?

One of the first known Filipino male volleyball players to play abroad was Marck Espejo, who went to Bahrain in November 2020 to play in the Isa bin Rashid Volleyball League according to data from Rebanse. For women, Alyssa Valdez was one of the first well-known names to try her luck in Thailand and Chinese Taipei. From 2020 to 2026, the number of Filipino players abroad grew rapidly.

What overseas leagues are best for Filipino players?

The Japanese SV.League is recognized as the most prestigious destination due to its high level of competition and good compensation for imports. The CEV Challenge Cup in Europe is the newest frontier, only now entered by a Filipino for the first time in 2026. Thailand, Indonesia’s Proliga, South Korea’s V.League, and the Taiwan Super League are other competitive options for Filipinos seeking an overseas career.

Are there Filipino male volleyball players currently active abroad?

Yes. The clearest example right now is Owa Retamar playing for Ordu Sports Club in Azerbaijan for the 2026–27 CEV Volleyball Challenge Cup. Previously, Bryan Bagunas (Taiwan) and Marck Espejo (Bahrain and Taiwan) were actively playing overseas. According to Rebanse, many more Filipino male volleyball players have had overseas stints in recent years.

Summary: The Future of Filipino Volleyball Abroad

The trend of Filipino volleyball players playing abroad is clearly operating at a higher level than ever before. From Asia to Europe, the map of destinations for our players continues to expand. The milestones of 2026 — Owa Retamar in Europe, Thea Gagate in Japan, Dell Palomata in Indonesia — prove that Philippine volleyball is on the right track. For young players, these names serve as inspiration and proof that the dream of playing abroad is no longer impossible. For fans, every move of a Filipino player abroad is a source of pride — and the seeds planted by these pioneers will continue to bear fruit. For a deeper look at other aspects of volleyball, visit our coverage of the 2026 PVL Draft and news about the local volleyball scene.

References

• GMA Network: Owa Retamar signs with Visakha in Cambodia — retrieved August 22, 2026
• Abante: Goodbye PVL, hello Japan! Thea Gagate to play for Denso Airybees — retrieved August 22, 2026
• Inquirer Sports: Owa Retamar headed to Europe with Ordu Sports Club — retrieved August 22, 2026
• OneSports: Dell Palomata signs with Medan Falcons in Indonesia Proliga — retrieved August 22, 2026
• Inquirer Sports: Retamar, Alas ace setter, breaks ground as Euro import — retrieved August 22, 2026
• Volleyball World: Alyssa Valdez — AVC Women’s Cup 2026 Players — retrieved August 22, 2026
• Tiebreaker Times: Jia Morado signs with Japan’s Denso — retrieved August 22, 2026
• Inquirer Sports: Jaja Santiago excited for Alyssa Valdez reunion at Creamline — retrieved August 22, 2026