Perlas barge into win column

Discovery-Rizal bounced back in dominant fashion, crushing RK Hoops-Quezon City, 82–39, to earn their first win in the 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) regular season late Sunday at the Rosario Cultural and Sports Center in Batangas.

Coming off back-to-back losses to start the season, Perlas — semifinalists in the MPBL Invitational Tournament last summer — finally got into the win column, improving to 1-2 in the six-team tournament.

Allana Lim spearheaded Perlas’ offensive onslaught with 21 points on an ultra-efficient 10-of-13 shooting clip, along with six rebounds, five assists, three steals, and one block.

Raiza Palmera-Dy, meanwhile, orchestrated the team’s fluid offense with eight points, 10 assists, six steals and two boards.

The win was extra special for Discovery-Rizal as it marked head coach Derrick Pumaren’s first victory in women’s basketball, a significant milestone for the veteran tactician long known for his achievements in the men’s ranks.

“I’m very happy for the girls because they were able to play to their potential today. It’s always hard to get the first but as I told them last game, the most important thing is how we bounce back, and we really bounced back hard today. We were able to show it and play our game,” Pumaren said.

Lim exploded early with a 10-point spurt to fuel a blistering 31-4 run in the first quarter, with Perlas shooting 14-of-21 from the field to seize full control of the contest.

RK Hoops-Quezon City tried to claw back with a 10-3 rally to start the second period, but Discovery-Rizal answered with a game-breaking 22-3 burst, nine of those points coming from Ferrer, to build a commanding 56-17 lead at the break.

Despite a slower third quarter, Discovery-Rizal’s cushion remained insurmountable as they carried a 68-25 advantage into the final frame, putting the outcome beyond doubt.

Statistically, Perlas dominated across the board.

Their crisp ball movement, aggressive defense, and rebounding edge showcased a complete performance on both ends of the court.

Fresh off her stint with the Gilas Women squad in the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series, Ferrer made an immediate impact, tallying 13 points on 6-of-11 shooting, along with four assists and three steals. Lovejoy Candelario added 12 points and four rebounds, while Angel Anies chipped in 10 points, four steals, three boards and two dimes.