Nigeria’s women’s national basketball team, D’Tigress, came from behind to defeat the Philippines 101-84 in a Group A match at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Villeurbanne, France.
The African champions overturned a double-digit first-half deficit at the Astroballe to claim a convincing win after a tightly contested game that saw 12 lead changes across the opening three quarters.
The Philippines controlled much of the first half and opened a 10-point lead in the second quarter, going ahead 35-25 and later 37-27. The Asian side spent more than 22 minutes in front during the game, while Nigeria led for about 15 minutes. The scores were level for just under three minutes.
Midway through the third quarter, the African side erased a five-point deficit with a 17-12 run. Forward Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah capped the surge with a turnaround jump shot that tied the score at 67-67 with just over three minutes left in the period.
Guards Ifunanya Okoro and Elizabeth Balogun combined for nine points during that stretch, while Promise Amukamara secured key rebounds as Nigeria moved ahead 70-67 heading into the final quarter.
The Philippines attempted to respond through outside shooting from Janine Pontejos and Louna Ozar, but Nigeria’s inside scoring proved decisive as they gradually pulled away.
Nigeria sealed the win with a 9-0 run in the fourth quarter between the sixth and fourth minutes. The burst turned a narrow 81-80 lead into a 90-80 advantage. Balogun scored 5 points during the sequence, shooting perfectly.
Centre Victoria Macaulay delivered a strong performance with 16 points, six rebounds, five assists and two blocks in just over 21 minutes. She posted a +13 plus-minus rating during Nigeria’s second-half surge.
Forward Murjanatu Musa recorded 10 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, while Nicole Enabosi added 15 points and 12 rebounds. Enabosi also produced a nine-point burst in the opening quarter, helping keep Nigeria within reach early in the game.
Pontejos led the Philippines with 16 points, including an eight-point run late in the second quarter that helped extend their lead in the first half. Kacey Dela Rosa also contributed during a seven-point run late in the opening period.
Nigeria’s most effective lineup featured Ezinne Kalu, Amukamara, Macaulay, Balogun and Musa. The group spent nearly 16 minutes on the court together and recorded a +12 differential during key stages of the match.
It was reports that the win came after Nigeria’s eight-game winning streak in competitive matches ended with a 77-60 defeat to South Korea. That loss followed their opening 70-37 win over Colombia in the tournament.
Nigeria have already qualified for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup after winning the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket title.
They will face hosts France on Sunday as the tournament, which runs from March 11 to 17, continues in Villeurbanne.
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