Among the pioneers in Philippine women’s basketball, Allana Lim continues to push for the next generation of Filipina cagers.
Basketball veteran Allana Lim is still up and running at 36 years old, even as most women’s players in the country have hung up their jerseys by that age — or even earlier, considering the limited opportunities for Filipina basketball players in the country.
For Lim, it has been all about doing whatever she can to inspire the next generation.
Already considered among the pioneers of women’s basketball in the Philippines due to her UAAP and national team career, Lim continues to aspire for more Filipina hoopers in the country, and what better way to do it than from the inside.
During the DAYO23 Tournament organized by Jordan Brand and Titan over the weekend, Lim helped her squad Team Hustle win back-to-back titles with a mix of fellow veterans and younger players.
In an interview with One Sports, Lim said that she keeps on pushing herself for the sake of the budding women’s basketball community, which she has seen grow in the past years.
“Well, unang-una, yung talagang malalim na motivation ko dito is to help the women’s community. Kung tutuusin, di na dapat ako naglalaro eh. Pero gusto ko may makita ako ng mga players na, ah ganito dapat maglaro,” Lim said.
“Ngayon, dito sa DAYO, dapat matapang, dapat yung character mo. Alam mo yun? Yung mga ganong bagay sa sarili mo. Malaking preparation din yun sa mga kabataan natin kasi, ngayon dapat nagi-invest tayo sa grassroots natin sa mga bata para naman yung longevity ng laro is may mapagkukuhaan tayo ng players.”
During her prime, Lim had limited opportunities locally, and became the first-ever Filipina player to be an import in women’s basketball overseas.
Now, the horizons have broadened for herself and others. Apart from being a player, Lim is also an assistant coach for UAAP women’s hoops powerhouse UST.
Constantly being able to see the next generation of basketball players grow, Lim is hopeful of what the future holds for women’s basketball. With more opportunities presenting themselves to players not just in Manila but all over the Philippines, Lim is happy to push herself to the limit.
At the end of the day, Lim wants to look out for the future of Philippine women’s basketball.
“Sa ngayon, nakikita namin na may mga young ones na naglalaro na ngayon. Magandang guidance sakanila para mapalawak at mai-ready sila kung ano talaga yung totoong basketball dito,” said Lim.
“Especially yung mga taga-probinsya na mga players kasi alam naman natin na, iba din talaga pag nagkaroon ng experience yung bata sa proper training.”
Lim’s teammates in Team Hustle included former FEU teammate Raiza Palmera-Dy, and younger ones such as Tacky Tacatac, Nikki Villasin, Gypsy Canuto, Pring Fabruada, and LJ Miranda.