Allana Lim erupted for 29 points as Akari-Rizal secured an outright semifinals berth in the 2026 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League after a vengeful 74–58 win over first-round tormentor Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire on Sunday night at the Uratex Showroom in Muntinlupa.
The Sparks, with one game left in the elimination round, hiked their league-leading win-loss record to 8–1 on the back of a six-game winning streak, sealing their place in the top two of the league backed by Aktive.
“I think we needed this win. We got to have that psychological advantage na we were able to beat Batangas finally but we must give it to the players, they gave their all, their intensity level was much higher. They really played well,” said Akari-Rizal head coach Derrick Pumaren.
(C) WMPBL
After a tightly contested first quarter, the Sparks established a 40–29 lead at the half after a 22–11 second period.
The Lady Valkyries then rallied to start the third quarter, opening with seven straight points courtesy of Afril Bernardino and Khate Castillo to cut the deficit to 36–40 at the 7:39 mark.
However, Akari-Rizal stayed composed and responded with a decisive 18–5 blast to build a 58–41 lead entering the fourth quarter.
The Sparks effectively erased the bitter taste of their lone defeat in the tournament so far, which came at the hands of the Lady Valkyries in the first round, 56–72.
“It’s more of the attitude ng team. Last game namin against Batangas, they just outworked us. In today’s game, that’s what we told them, we have to be really patient, kailangang i-outwork namin, hindi puwedeng ganito lang,” said Pumaren on the key change they made to bounce back.
Lim’s 29 points came on a highly efficient 13-of-19 shooting from the field, along with seven rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block to lead Akari-Rizal.
Camille Sambile added 12 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks, and two steals, while Mar Prado contributed 11 points and nine rebounds.
Raiza Palmera-Dy orchestrated the Sparks’ offense with 13 assists—10 of which came in the first half—along with four points, three rebounds, and two steals.
Akari-Rizal will close out its elimination round campaign against Pasig-Queenpin next Sunday.
(C) WMPBL
On the other hand, Batangas-New Zealand saw its five-game winning streak snapped, falling to 6–2 but still holding solo second place.
Bernardino was the lone Lady Valkyrie in double figures with 14 points, but struggled with efficiency, making just five of her 17 field goal attempts. She also tallied nine rebounds, six blocks, four steals, and three assists.
Andrea Tongco and Queenie Aquino followed with nine and eight points, respectively.
Snow Peñaranda was held to just six points and 11 rebounds, while Castillo was limited to four points on 1-of-9 shooting.
The Scores:
Akari-Rizal 74 — Lim 29, Sambile 12, Prado 11, Abatayo 5, Angeles 5, Palmera-Dy 4, Ventura 0, Candelario 0.
Batangas—New Zealand Bluefire 58 – Bernardino 14, Tongco 9, Aquino 8, Peñaranda 6, Castillo 4, Claro 4, Torres 4, Dionisio 4, Talas 3, Lozada 2, Calang 0, Bariquit 0.
Quarterscores: 18-18, 40-29, 58-41, 74-58.
