At the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Villeurbanne, France, Nigeria’s women’s national basketball team, D’Tigress, overcame a deficit to overcome the Philippines 101-84 in a Group A match.
After a closely contested match that featured 12 lead changes in the first three quarters, the African champions overcame a double-digit first-half deficit at the Astroballe to secure a comfortable victory.
After controlling a large portion of the first half, the Philippines took a 10-point advantage in the second quarter, leading 35–25 and then 37–27. Nigeria led for almost 15 minutes in the match, but the Asian team led for more than 22 minutes. For a little less than three minutes, the scores were tied.
The African team overcame a five-point deficit with a 17–12 surge halfway through the third quarter. With just over three minutes remaining in the period, forward Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah finished the surge with a turnaround jump shot that knotted the game at 67-67.
Nigeria led 70-67 going into the final quarter because to the combined nine points scored by guards Ifunanya Okoro and Elizabeth Balogun, as well as crucial rebounds from Promise Amukamara.
Janine Pontejos and Louna Ozar of the Philippines tried to reply with outside shots, but Nigeria’s inside scoring proved crucial as they progressively withdrew.
Between the sixth and fourth minutes of the fourth quarter, Nigeria went on a 9-0 run to complete the victory. A slim 81-80 lead was transformed into a 90-80 lead by the explosion. Balogun shot flawlessly to score five points during the sequence.
In just over twenty-one minutes, center Victoria Macaulay scored sixteen points, pulled down six rebounds, dished out five assists, and blocked two shots. During Nigeria’s second-half comeback, she received a +13 plus-minus rating.
Nicole Enabosi contributed 15 points and 12 rebounds, while forward Murjanatu Musa finished with 10 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists. Additionally, Enabosi scored nine points in the first quarter to help keep Nigeria within striking distance.
With 16 points, Pontejos led the Philippines. They extended their lead in the first half with a run of eight points late in the second quarter. Late in the first period, Kacey Dela Rosa went on a seven-point spree, contributing as well.
Amukamara, Macaulay, Balogun, Musa, and Ezinne Kalu made constituted Nigeria’s most successful lineup. During crucial moments in the game, the group recorded a +12 differential while spending almost 16 minutes on the court together.
According to reports, Nigeria’s eight-game winning streak in competitive games came to an end with a 77-60 loss against South Korea. They had defeated Colombia 70-37 in the tournament before the defeat.
Nigeria won the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket championship, earning them a spot in the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.
As the competition continues in Villeurbanne from March 11 to 17, they will take against hosts France on Sunday.
