A bond once forged inside the four corners of Morayta continues to stand the test of time — and now serves as the foundation of Allana Lim’s and Raiza Palmera-Dy’s careers and the driving force behind Akari-Rizal’s strong WMPBL 2026 campaign.
Long before they became cornerstones in the 2026 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, Lim and Palmera-Dy had already etched their names in Far Eastern University history. As leaders of the FEU Lady Tamaraws, the duo steered the program to UAAP women’s basketball championships in 2008 and 2011, setting the tone for a partnership that has since stretched across more than 18 years.
From collegiate glory to national team duty under the Perlas Aguilas and Gilas Pilipinas banners, and even through a brief stint with Discovery-Rizal in the previous WMPBL season, their connection has only deepened with time.
“Actually, ano ‘eh, kumbaga, pa-solid nang pa-solid at nadadagdagan nang nadadagdagan yung chemistry. Hindi lang naman dito sa basketball, kundi sa labas na buhay din namin na meron kami. Lagi kaming nandiyan para sa isa’t isa,” Lim said.
That unwavering connection has become Akari-Rizal’s biggest weapon. Palmera-Dy noted that their rare synergy — built through years of shared battles from the UAAP to the national team and into the professional ranks — continues to anchor the Sparks atop the six-team field.
That chemistry was on full display Wednesday night at the Victoria Sports Center, where Lim and Palmera-Dy powered Akari-Rizal to an 89-72 victory over RK Hoops-Quezon City 10ACT.
Palmera-Dy fired 26 points on 6-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc, alongside nine assists, three rebounds, and two steals, while Lim delivered 17 points on an efficient 8-of-11 clip, plus five steals, four rebounds, and two assists.
Their combined 43-point effort lifted the Sparks into a share of the top spot with Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire at 5-1 in the tournament backed by Aktive.
(C) WMPBL
“Siguro, we know na kami yung heart and soul ng team namin back in our UAAP days. Yon yung na-carry on namin during our national team stints, sa professional teams din. Yun yung something na hindi namin maaalis sa aming dalawa,” Palmera-Dy said.
But beyond their playing days, both veterans have embraced a mission that stretches far past the WMPBL hardwood.
Rooted in their UAAP beginnings, Lim now serves as assistant coach for defending champion University of Santo Tomas, while Palmera-Dy has returned to FEU to guide the next generation of Lady Tamaraws.
For both, coaching is not merely a post-playing career path — it is a continuation of their purpose in Philippine women’s basketball.
“Unang-una, it’s a career path na tinatahak namin ngayon ni Raiza. At the same time, yung passion and love namin para sa basketball, ayaw pa naming ma-separate doon sa routine namin. Gusto pa naming mag-training araw-araw, magturo, at ma-impart doon sa mga naging players na nagiging kalaban din namin at nagiging kabantayan namin dito sa WMPBL o sa ibang liga,” Lim said.
“Malaking factor ‘yon, lalo na sa young generations and aspiring natin na mga players at gusto nilang maglaro dito sa women’s basketball. Sharing the experience and love sa women’s community,” she went on.
“Siguro dahil sa pagiging UAAP coaches, napapansin din ng coaches namin na kapag nandiyan kami sa loob ng court, mafe-feel mo yung impact namin at presence namin as one of the leaders talaga sa team. Very important din yung ginagawa namin sa team kasi siyempre, sa aming dalawa, tinatake namin seriously yung each and every game. And napaka-importante niyan na ma-lead namin yung team kasi if yung mga young ones, nakikita na ganon yung pag-approach namin sa game, mahihila namin paangat lahat. It’s very important for us dalawa ni Allana na ma-lead yung team na ito.”
