With Allana Lim still battling illness, Lovejoy Candelario made sure to step up and make her presence felt in the paint, powering Discovery-Rizal to a crucial Game 1 win over San Juan-DN Steel in the 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League semifinals last Sunday.
Candelario played her best game in the tournament in Perlas’ 76-65 triumph over the Lady Knights, which put them on the cusp of a finals appearance in the league’s first-ever professional season.
“Especially dahil may sakit siya for two weeks, kailangan namin, as bigs, fill-up-an ‘yung position ni Ate Allana para maka-rest siya at makabalik ng mas strong sa game,” said the former University of the East standout.
She finished with a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds as Lim continued to be limited by an undisclosed illness that has hampered her over the past few games.
(C) WMPBL
Candelario also proved instrumental in Discovery-Rizal’s decisive third-quarter surge. She drilled back-to-back baskets that sparked a 9-1 rally to turn a slim 38-35 lead into a 47-36 cushion — one that San Juan-DN Steel could never recover from.
The UAAP Season 80 Mythical Team member said she simply felt grateful to contribute for the squad, especially with Lim still not at a hundred percent.
Candelario also credited the guidance of head coach Derrick Pumaren and his staff for trusting her to step up and deliver when the team needed it most.
“Happy ako na nakaka-contribute ako sa team. Sobrang thankful ako sa teammates ko kasi tinulungan nila ako — kay Coach Derrick at sa mga assistant coaches, lagi nilang binibigay ‘yung mga kailangan ng team namin,” she said.
She vowed to keep the same energy and determination to help Perlas finish the job and close out the series in Game 2 on Wednesday.
“Makinig lang lagi kay Manong, sa mga beterano naming teammates, kasi mas may experience sila eh. Kailangan ko lang makinig sa kanila at makipag-communicate sa kanila.”
