Third-ranked Discovery-Rizal left no room for doubt as it dominated from start to finish, routing No. 6 RK Hoops-Quezon City, 90-54, to secure its spot in the semifinals of the 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League on Sunday at the Enderun Gym.
Armed with a twice-to-beat advantage, Perlas wasted no time asserting control. After RK Hoops-QC nailed the first basket of the game, it was all Discovery-Rizal from there — imposing its will through stifling defense and a composed, balanced attack that completely smothered its opponents.
Even without star guard Raiza Palmera-Dy, who sat out due to her coaching FEU against UP in the UAAP, Discovery-Rizal barely missed a beat.
Angel Anies and Tantoy Ferrer stepped up in spectacular fashion, combining for nine of the team’s 11 triples to keep RK Hoops-QC out of rhythm.
Ferrer led the charge with a game-high 22 points on 4-of-5 shooting from deep, adding 10 rebounds and five steals for a dominant two-way outing.
Anies, starting in place of Palmera-Dy, rose to the occasion with her best performance yet — 21 points built on four triples along with eight assists to power Perlas’ offense.
(C) WMPBL Images
“Well, that was really what I wanted. I wanted them to be ready to play them [RK Hoops-QC] kasi we’re still not in [the semis] eh, we still need to win one more game,” said Discovery-Rizal head coach Derrick Pumaren.
“Angel [Anies] was hot today. She was really hot today — she was making her shots, she was making plays for us, and I think that’s why we also made that big run because of Angel’s offense tonight.”
Perlas’ biggest statement came in the third quarter, where it exploded for 27 points while holding RK Hoops-QC to just six.
Discovery-Rizal’s suffocating defense and relentless energy ballooned the lead to as high as 48, capped by a Loraine Capilit triple with 33 seconds left in the frame.
Veteran forward Camille Sambile also provided a strong presence with 14 points and five rebounds. Meanwhile, Capilit and Lovejoy Candelario contributed nine and eight points, respectively, in the semis-clinching win for Discovery-Rizal — supported by Uratex, Black Mamba, Red Dynasty, Aktiv Balls, and Pocari Sweat.
(C) WMPBL Images
Despite still recovering from illness, Allana Lim managed to chip in seven points, four rebounds, and two assists in nearly 14 minutes of play, showing her trademark grit and leadership.
With the win, Discovery-Rizal sets up a semifinal showdown against the top-ranked New Zealand Bluefire-Batangas on Sunday at 4:00 PM at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Meanwhile, RK Hoops-Quezon City’s campaign came to an end with its tenth straight loss.
Bernalyn Aragon led the team with 11 points, while Kristina Dela Cruz, Nel Flor, and Maria Cayco each scored eight in the season-ending defeat.
The Scores:
Discovery-Rizal 90 – Ferrer 22, Anies 21, Sambile 14, Capilit 9, Candelario 8, Lim 7, Sison 6, Marcos 2, Galicia 1, Tacatac 0
RK Hoops-Quezon City 54 – Aragon 11, Dela Cruz 8, Flor 8, Cayco 8, Molina 7, Docallos 4, Canayong 4, Alcantara 3, Buendia 1, Bacuto 0, Geli 0, Escotido 0
Quarterscores: 26-9, 50-28, 77-34, 90-54
