Joshua Retamar

Last updated

Joshua Retamar
2025-09-12 - FIVB VMWC 2025 Retamar (cropped).jpg
Retamar in 2025
Personal information
Full nameAve Joshua Retamar
NicknameOwa
NationalityFilipino
Born (2000-03-07) March 7, 2000 (age 25)
Manila, Philippines
Hometown San Pedro, Laguna [1]
Height183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight75.6 kg (167 lb)
College / University National University
Volleyball information
Position Setter
Current teamVisakha
Career
YearsTeams
2018–2023 Sta. Elena Ball Hammers
2024–2025 Cignal HD Spikers
2026–Visakha
National team
2019– Philippines
Honours
Men's volleyball
Representing Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines
SEA Games
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2019 Philippines Team
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2025 Thailand Team

Ave Joshua "Owa" Retamar (born March 7, 2002) is a Filipino volleyball player. He is currently playing as a setter for Cambodian club Visakha.

Contents

Early life and education

Ave Joshua Retamar, commonly known by his nickname Owa, was born on March 7, 2002 in Manila. [2] He however is linked to San Pedro, Laguna, growing up in a family of "volleyball lovers". Owa Retamar himself took up volleyball when he was around second grade or seven or eight years old. [3]

He studied at the University of Perpetual Help–Biñan for his high school studies before moving to the National University in Manila where he obtained his financial management degree in 2024. [3] [4]

Career

Early years

Retamar when he was sixth grade was selected by Batangas province to represent Calabarzon in a regional competition. Originally a libero, this marked Retamar's transition to a setter. He also played for the University of Perpetual Help–Biñan high school team. He was being scouted by the De La Salle Green Spikers before the NU Bulldogs made a last minute offer to convince him to commit to the collegiate team. [3]

College

Retamar made his first game appearance with NU Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 82 in 2019 under coach Dante Alinsunurin. [5] Later on, the tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [4]

In 2023, UAAP men's volleyball tournament resumed in Season 85 after three years of being on a hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic. [4] Retamar became the team captain of the NU Bulldogs. His team won the championship title and he bagged Finals MVP award. [6]

Club

Retamar was signed by the Sta. Elena Ball Hammers in 2018. He won best Setter award in the 2019 Spikers' Turf Open Conference. His team bagged the bronze medal on that season. In 2022, he became the captain of the team. [7]

After graduating from NU, Retamar joined the Cignal HD Spikers in May 2024. [8] [9] He helped Cignal win four Spikers' Turf championships and was named best setter three times. He stayed until the club's disbandment in January 2026. [10]

The following month, Retamar joined Cambodian club Visakha for the 4th Sar Kheng Cup. [10]

National team

In December 2019, Retamar made his debut for the Philippines national team helping them win silver medal in the 30th SEA Games which was hosted at home. [11] [12]

Retamar returned to the national team at the 2024 AVC Men's Challenge Cup. [13] [14] He also played at the 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship which was hosted by the Philippines as well as helped the national team win a bronze medal at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand. [10]

Clubs

Awards

Individual

YearLeagueSeason/ConferenceAwardRef
2019 Spikers' Turf Open Best Setter [15]
2022 Open [16]
2023 UAAP 85 [17]
MVP (Finals) [18]
2023 Spikers' Turf Invitational Best Setter [19]

Collegiate

NU Bulldogs

YearLeagueSeason/ConferenceTitleRef
2022V-League Collegiate Champions
2023 UAAP 85 Champions

Clubs

YearLeagueSeason/ConferenceClubTitleRef
2019 Spikers' Turf Open Sta. Elena Ball Hammers 3rd Place [20]
2022 Open NU-Sta. Elena Nationals Champions [21]
2023 Invitational Champions [22]
2024 Invitational Cignal HD Spikers Champions
2025 Open Champions

Other recognition

YearAward Giving BodyAwardRef
2024Collegiate Press Corps AwardsUAAP Men's Volleyball Player of the Year [23]

References

  1. ↑ "Congratulations San Pedrenses". cityofsanpedrolaguna.gov.ph. n.d. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Ave Joshua Retamar - FIVB Player Database". FIVB. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 Ballecer, R. J. (May 25, 2024). "Owa Retamar's Rise as PH's Volleyball Phenom". The Game. One Mega Group. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 Valencia, Justin (May 9, 2024). "Owa Retamar has double triumph after graduation glory". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  5. ↑ Agcaoili, Lance (May 17, 2023). "UAAP: With Alinsunurin's support, NU's Retamar and Almendras mull future". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Retamar, Almendras steady NU ship amid UST storm". Tiebreaker Times. May 11, 2023. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  7. ↑ "NU Sta. Elena dethrones Cignal as Spikers' Turf Champion". National University. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Owa Retamar joins Cignal to continue winning tradition". Tiebreaker Times. May 24, 2024. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  9. ↑ Ulanday, John Bryan (May 25, 2024). "Retamar joins Cignal". The Philippine Star. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  10. 1 2 3 Garcia, John Mark (February 3, 2026). "Owa Retamar taking act to Cambodia after Cignal fold-up". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  11. ↑ "PMNVT dethrones Thailand, ends 42 year SEAG finals drought". Tiebreaker Times. December 8, 2019. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  12. ↑ Agcaoli, Lance (December 2, 2019). "PH teen setter Retamar makes quite an impression in SEAG debut". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  13. ↑ Ambat, Pao (May 30, 2024). ""Maglalaro po kami nang maayos" | Owa Retamar expects Alas Pilipinas Men to bring the fight, show teamwork in AVC Men's Challenge Cup" [“We will play properly” | Owa Retamar expects Alas Pilipinas Men to bring the fight, show teamwork in AVC Men’s Challenge Cup]. One Sports (in English and Filipino). Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  14. ↑ Agcaoili, Lance (June 3, 2024). "Alas Pilipinas men in must-win after loss to China in AVC Chellenge Cup". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  15. ↑ Lozada, Bong (October 23, 2019). "Espejo unleashes record 43 points as Cignal bags Spikers' Turf title". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  16. ↑ Agcaoili, Lance (October 1, 2022). "Nationals' Nico Almendras wins Spikers' Turf MVP award". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  17. ↑ "UST's Ybañez bags UAAP MVP, Rookie of the Year awards". Philippine Star. May 14, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  18. ↑ Justin Valencia (May 14, 2023). "Retamar crowned UAAP 85 Finals MVP". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Vince Himzon hailed Invitational Conference MVP". spikersturf.ph. Spikers Turf. December 15, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  20. ↑ Lozada, Bong (October 23, 2019). "Espejo unleashes record 43 points as Cignal bags Spikers' Turf title". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  21. ↑ Agcaoili, Lance (October 1, 2022). "NU-Sta. Elena dethrones Cignal to claim Spikers' Turf crown". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  22. ↑ "NU-Sta Elena shocks Cignal in 5, snares crown". spikersturf.ph. Spikers Turf. December 15, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  23. ↑ Dannug, Jonash (June 19, 2024). "Owa Retamar calls for support to nurture men's volleyball". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
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