Far Eastern University basketball legend Raiza Palmera-Dy is proudly stepping into her new role as head coach of the Lady Tamaraws for the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament, continuing her legacy as a torchbearer for the women’s basketball community.
Palmera-Dy, who led the Lady Tamaraws to two UAAP championships in Seasons 71 and 74 and earned the MVP title in the latter, made her coaching debut on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. Despite missing Congolese center Josee Kaputu, who was suspended, her squad fell to the Adamson Lady Falcons, 76-63.
Though the result was not ideal, Palmera-Dy was encouraged by her team’s effort.
“A lot of excitement actually. I’m proud of the girls even though hindi nakapaglaro si Josee (Kaputu), at least nagawa pa rin namin yung game plan namin. That’s what we wanted,” said the 33-year-old mentor.
“Siguro at the end of the game, yun lang, we have to improve on our outside shooting and, pangalawa, our turnovers. Medyo inexperienced pa because most of the players ay mga bata pa naman. Ganun talaga. Ang importante lang naman, day-by-day, game-by-game, kailangan nag-i-improve kami.”
As a former star player and member of the national team, Palmera-Dy had turned down several coaching offers in the past to focus on personal matters. However, she felt the time was finally right to take on the challenge and is excited about what lies ahead.
She is once again elevating women’s basketball, this time as a coach for one of the country’s top universities, guiding the next generation of athletes just as she did as a player.
“It’s totally a different feeling itong coaching job ko,” Palmera-Dy shared. “Actually, wala to sa plan at all. I got an offer years ago from different universities. I turned them down just because wala sa plan ko ang pagko-coach because I have my own family and we have our own business din.
“When I got the offer from FEU, sabi ko sa management na ang hirap tumanggi but I had to think about it for 2-3 weeks. To cut the story short, I accepted the job, embraced it, and now we’re here. Ambilis ng panahon. Dati ni-re-represent ko lang ang FEU but now I’m representing it as a coach naman.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
She added, “I think siguro hindi natin nakikita kung ano yung plan ni God para sa atin. If meron nag-open na door, go and grab it. Me, iniisip ko rin taking this job, it’s like representing the women’s community rin aside from coach Haydee, aside from coach Ai Lebornio from UE.”
“At least may mga young ones na rin na pumapasok. Even my former teammate at FEU, si Allana Lim, na part ngayon ng coaching staff ng UST. Women’s community din ang nagkikita-kita dito sa women’s basketball games here in the UAAP.”
As a first-time head coach in the UAAP, Palmera-Dy made sure to surround herself with experienced coaches like Mark Isip, Joe Silva, and Ron Camara, who actively provided guidance on the sidelines, while she called the final shots and drew plays during timeouts.
“It’s part of my consideration. I took this job and I said wala pa akong masyadong experience in terms of being a head coach kaya I need to surround myself with experienced coaches,” she said.
“Luckily available si coach Joe Silva, luckily available si coach Mark Isip and coach Ron Camara. I’m very thankful na nagkasabay-sabay kami. I think this is parang destiny naming lahat to guide these girls and represent FEU well.”
The last time FEU made the Final Four of the women’s division was back in Season 82 under Coach Bert Flores, when they were led by Mythical Five awardee Clare Castro. The Lady Tamaraws secured an 8-6 record in the eliminations, beating Adamson in the first stepladder match and forcing a rubber game against UST before falling to the Growling Tigresses.
Palmera-Dy hopes to lead the team to another deep postseason run in Season 87 and welcomes the challenge.
“Definitely, Final Four. I came in here, sabi ko sa mga bata, I’m a very competitive player nung naglalaro ako kaya as a coach, yun ang gusto kong ma-instill sa atin. Maging competitive tayo, pahirapan natin every opponent and yun ang gusto kong maging marka ng FEU: every time, whoever-man ang makalaban namin, pasasakitin namin ulo nila,” she said.
