Palmera-Dy, Lim Spark Akari-Rizal Comeback to Share League Lead

Akari-Rizal overcame a slow start to down RK Hoops–Quezon City 10ACT, 89-72, and claim a share of the top spot in the 2026 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) on Wednesday at the Victoria Sports Center.

Trailing by as many as 12 points after a scoreless first quarter, veteran duo Raiza Palmera-Dy and Allana Lim combined forces to rally the Sparks, powering the team to its third straight win.

Palmera-Dy led the charge with 26 points, shooting 6-of-10 from three, while adding nine assists, three rebounds, and two steals. Lim contributed 17 points on 8-of-11 shooting, along with five steals, four rebounds, and two assists. Their efforts helped Akari-Rizal tie Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire for the top spot in the six-team tournament, both holding 5-1 records.

“We didn’t start the way I expected. We weren’t running our offense and missed good opportunities early. Mentally, we weren’t ready, but we made up for it on the other end with solid defense,” Akari head coach Derrick Pumaren said. “We clamped down defensively, and that’s why we won.”

After a disastrous opening period—falling behind 5-17, missing all 14 field-goal attempts, and committing eight turnovers—Akari responded with a dominant second quarter. The Sparks outscored RK Hoops 35-16, fueled by three straight triples from Jhenn Angeles and a Lim floater, taking a 40-33 halftime lead.

The third quarter saw Akari break the game open. Lim scored the team’s first nine points before Palmera-Dy added 11 straight of her own, giving the Sparks a commanding 63-44 advantage with 2:39 remaining. Although RK Hoops briefly cut the deficit to 13, an Angel Anies layup and another Palmera-Dy triple restored a 79-60 lead with 5:35 left.

Anies finished with 14 points, three assists, two rebounds, and two steals, while Mar Prado added 13 points, six rebounds, and two assists. Angeles chipped in 12 points, including three triples, along with five assists and two steals.

RK Hoops–Quezon City 10ACT suffered the setback, dropping to fourth place with a 2-5 record. University of Santo Tomas alumna Tantoy Ferrer led the team with 17 points on 6-of-12 shooting, along with 10 rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Caryl Molina and Faith Panti added 11 points each, Mikee Antonio contributed 10 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and one steal, and Natasha Alcantara added eight points.