Dennis Gaviola

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781449275687WMPBL 2nd Reg Season_ Akari vs Batangas_ LIM Ali-08412.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Akari-Rizal’s Ali Lim in action. WMPBL photo</div>MANILA -- 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, Sunday night at the Uratex Showroom 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.After a tightly-contested first quarter, the Sparks were able to establish a 40-29 lead at the half after a 22-11 second period.Then the Lady Valkyries rallied to begin the third, opening with seven straight points courtesy of Afril Bernardino and Khate Castillo to slash their deficit to 36-40 at the 7:39 mark.However, Akari-Rizal was too composed to collapse, answering with a decisive 18-5 blast to erect a 58-41 margin entering the fourth.The Sparks effectively erased the bitter taste of their lone defeat of the tournament so far coming 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 from a very efficient 13-of-19 clip from the field along with seven rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one black to lead Akari-Rizal.Camille Sambile added 12 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks, and two steals, while Mar Prado had 11 points and nine rebounds.Raiza Palmera-Dy orchestrated the Sparks’ offense with 13 assists, 10 coming 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.On the other hand, Batangas-New Zealand saw its five-game winning run snapped, falling to 6-2 but still at solo second.Bernardino was the lone Lady Valkyrie in double digits with 14 points but struggled, 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 likewise limited to just four points on 1-of-9 shooting.<div><br style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial"/><br style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial"/>The Scores:</div>AKARI-RIZAL 74 — Lim 29, Sambile 12, Prado 11, Abatayo 5, Angeles 5, Palmera-Dy 4, Ventura 0, Candelario 0.BATANGAS-NEW ZEALAND — Bernardino 14, Tongco 9, Aquino 8, Peñaranda 6, Castillo 4, Claro 4, Torres 4, Dionisio 4, Talas 3, Lozada 2, Calang 0, Bariquit 0.<br style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial"/>Quarterscores: 18-18, 40-29, 58-41, 74-58.

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, Sunday night at the Uratex Showroom Muntinlupa.

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, Sunday night at the Uratex Showroom Muntinlupa.

WMPBL: Akari-Rizal beats Batangas-New Zealand, seals outright semis ticket

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Basketball

WMPBL: Akari-Rizal beats Batangas-New Zealand, seals outright semis ticket

ABS-CBN News

Published June 14, 2026 11:21 PM PHT

Read More:

women's basketball

WMPBL

2026 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.