For 18 years, Allana Lim and Raiza Palmera-Dy have shared almost every milestone imaginable.
They won UAAP championships together with Far Eastern University in Seasons 71 and 74, reunited as teammates on the Philippine national team, and along the way celebrated individual triumphs, endured setbacks, and outlasted generations of players.
Last Wednesday, the lifelong friends added another chapter to their remarkable journey. They captured their first professional championship after leading Akari-Rizal to a 73-59 victory over Batangas New-Zealand Bluefire in Game 3 of the 2026 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Finals.
“Siyempre, iba ‘yung feeling,” said Lim.
“We’ve been together, we’ve been teammates, best friends for 18 years, since 2008. Ganun kami ka-close, ganun kami ka-solid. Chi-cherish namin ‘yun palagi. Ngayon, nakuha na naman itong championship, mas naging worth it siya — ‘yung pagsasama namin.”
“And even back then sa national team, we played together under Coach Haydee Ong and Coach Pat Aquino. Then professionally, we’re still together,” added Lim, who was named Finals MVP.
For Palmera-Dy, the title was simply the latest accomplishment in a partnership that has flourished from the collegiate ranks to the national team and now the professional stage.
“Actually, it’s very unique, ‘yung relationship namin ni Coach Ali because, as you all know, we won a title nung college kami. Both of us also have MVP awards in different seasons. Nagka-teammate kami sa national team, and now dito sa professional team,” said Palmera-Dy.
“I’m really happy na nakuha namin ‘tong panalo.”
(C) WMPBL
Lim finished with 19 points and nine rebounds in the title-clinching victory over the Valkyries. Meanwhile, Palmera-Dy tallied nine points, nine assists, and five rebounds, proving they can still keep pace with the league’s younger stars.
That made the championship even more meaningful for Palmera-Dy as she reflected on how far she and Lim have come together.
“Baka hindi pa pinapanganak ‘yung ibang naglalaro, mag-teammate na kami,” joked the Far Eastern University women’s basketball team head coach.
“So ganun katagal ‘yung relationship namin. It’s very special. Actually, kami na ‘yung longest-tenured tandem dito sa women’s basketball in terms of being teammates from college, to the national team, and now in our professional careers.”
The championship carried even greater significance because the two have witnessed the evolution of women’s basketball — from a time when support was scarce to an era in which the sport is finally receiving the recognition it deserves.
“Napakaswerte naming naabutan pa namin ‘yung ganito. Dati, walang sumusuporta. ‘Yung stages na ‘yun, ‘yung prosesong ‘to, and now na may sumusuporta na, naabutan pa namin. Napaka-special ng panalong ito talaga para sa aming dalawa,” Palmera-Dy recalled.
Eighteen years into a friendship that has already stood the test of time, Lim and Palmera-Dy have added yet another milestone to celebrate together. And with both veterans still going strong, they believe their story is far from over.
“Ako, as a competitive person talaga, gusto ko talagang mapatunayan na alam kong kaya ko pang makipagsabayan, lalo na sa mga young ones na fresh from the UAAP or whatever,” Palmera-Dy said.
“Coming into this finals, I made my decision to the management that I’m going to stay and play as long as kaya ko pa. Ayun, maybe three to five years from now,” Lim shared.
