While many Filipinos still don’t know Lim’s journey, the recent progress made in the women’s basketball is leading to more people finally discovering her story.
Over ten years ago, Allana Lim made history as the first Filipina basketball player to compete as an import across Southeast Asia. Her achievement opened doors for many athletes who came after her—Afril Bernardino, Gemma Miranda, Jack Danielle Animam—and kickstarted her professional career, which now sees her as an assistant coach for the UST Lady Tigresses while she continues to compete here and abroad.
Despite this, her story flew under the radar for many Pinoy basketball fans; not a lot of people know the sacrifices she made along the way.
“Pumunta ako ng Malaysia na wala akong pocket money. Lahat talaga lakasan ng loob lang kasi hindi naman alam ng pamilya ko na maglalaro ako sa ibang bansa,” Lim shared on an exclusive interview on the Go Hard Girls podcast. Even though she graduated in 2012 as a UAAP champion and MVP with the FEU Lady Tamaraws, there were no opportunities in the Philippines to continue a pro career as a woman.
Without the backing of a professional management team, she relied on what she had saved from her allowances at FEU to cover her expenses prior to her first salary in Malaysia.
“Buti na lang kahit papaano, may laman 'yun ATM ko nun. Tapos 'yun sapatos ko lumang-luma na, tapos paulit-ulit ko 'yung medyas ko. Parang suot, laba, suot, laba. Ganoon lang,” she revealed.
“Ako kasi 'yung tipong tao na malakas talaga loob ko to the point na kahit saan mo ko iiwan, kaya kong panindigan 'yung sarili ko,” Lim added. “Nangingibabaw 'yung excitement ko na magtraining, maglaro, magpakitang gilas. Na ipakita ko sa kanila na hindi kayo nagkamali na ako 'yung kinuha.”
She went straight to training after her flight landed in Malaysia, then the day after, she played her first game. Lim was the x-factor that not only snapped KL Ruby’s four-game losing streak, but led them to a four-game winning streak and a semifinals finish.
“First game ko noon, nasa 30 plus ata ako tsaka ako nag-best player. Tapos nag-cramps ako kasi buhat na buhat ko yung team nun. Lahat ginawa ko manalo lang 'yung team ko,” she shared, adding that while her natural position is as a power forward, her team had her playing nearly every position depending on the opponent.
“Pag import ka kasi, hindi pwedeng magaling ka lang sa isang bagay. Kaya mo mag-point guard. Kaya mong masipag rumebound. Magaling ka dumipensa. Kaya mong pasukin yung mga teammates mo,” she said. “Kadalasan talaga, all around yung hinahanap nilang klaseng player.”
In the next few years, Lim would play in Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Nepal. Indonesia in particular led to several championships for Lim. Each medal, she says, was “the best award na maiuwi ko dito sa Pilipinas.”
While many Filipinos still don’t know Lim’s journey, the recent progress made in the women’s basketball is leading to more people finally discovering her story. And more importantly, this pioneering athlete’s legacy extends beyond herself.
Because of Lim, other Filipina athletes were given the chance to play as imports abroad. Her hard work and talent proved that Filipina ballers can be world-class. Then, she vouched for the likes of Soc Borja, Gemma Miranda, and Chack Cabinbin, and helped them access international opportunities as well.
“Gusto kong galingan para makapagbigay ako ng opportunity sa mga ibang Pinay ballers. Ako, talagang nagtatrabaho ako nang maigi doon. Talagang maayos 'yung pakikisama ko sa kanila. Then from there, nakuha ko 'yung tiwala nila sa'kin. Pinagkatiwalaan nila ako na sige, magdala ka ng player dito na Pinay player. You have to create opportunity diba?”
Now, over a decade since she first played abroad, Lim’s career is far from over—she just sees her role differently.
“Gusto ko pang mag-perform at mabigyan [ang mga bata] ng kumpyansa sa sarili nila na iyan nga si Coach, ang tanda-tanda niya, naglalaro pa rin talaga. Kung siya matanda na, hungry pa rin. Dapat ako bata, mas hungry pa ako sa kanya.”