Nigeria’s D’Tigresses Saturday delivered a second-half surge win, overturning a double-digit deficit to defeat the Philippines 101-84 in Group A action at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament in France.
The Philippines led for more than 22 minutes and built a 10-point cushion in the first half, but Nigeria seized control after the break. With 12 lead changes and both teams trading blows through three quarters, Nigeria pulled away in the final period to secure a convincing victory.
Turning Point
Midway through the third quarter, Nigeria erased a five-point gap with a 17-12 run, tying the game at 67-67 on a turnaround jump shot by forward Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah with 3:06 left in the period. Guards Ifunanya Okoro and Elizabeth Balogun combined for 9 points during this stretch, while Promise Amukamara added 4 rebounds and 2 points. The Philippines tried to answer with three-pointers from Janine Pontejos and Louna Ozar, but Nigeria’s relentless inside scoring gave them a 70-67 lead heading into the final quarter. That’s when the momentum shifted for good.
Center Victoria Macaulay anchored Nigeria’s turnaround, finishing with 16 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks in just over 21 minutes. She shot efficiently from deep and from the line, and her +13 plus/minus reflected her impact during Nigeria’s decisive second-half run.
Forward Murjanatu Musa nearly posted a triple-double, contributing 10 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Nicole Enabosi added 15 points and 12 rebounds, including a 9-point burst in under three minutes of the opening quarter. For the Philippines, guard Janine Pontejos led the way with 16 points, highlighted by an 8-point outburst late in the second quarter.
Nigeria’s biggest run came in the final quarter-a 9-0 surge from 6:19 to 3:56, turning an 81-80 lead into a 90-80 advantage. Balogun scored 5 points on perfect shooting during this stretch, helping Nigeria put the game to bed. The Philippines’ most significant run was a 7-0 burst late in the first quarter, flipping a 21-19 deficit into a 26-21 lead, with Kacey Dela Rosa contributing 5 points.
There were 12 lead changes in total, beginning at 8:19 in the opening quarter and ending at 2:41 in the third quarter, as both teams exchanged the lead multiple times before Nigeria took control for good.
Nigeria’s largest lead was 17 points with 38 seconds remaining in the final quarter (Nigeria 101 – Philippines 84), matching the final margin. The Philippines’ biggest lead was 10 points in the second quarter, with instances at 6:15 (Nigeria 25 – Philippines 35) and 5:11 (Nigeria 27 – Philippines 37).
Nigeria led for 15:08, while the Philippines held the advantage for 22:01. The score was tied for 2:51.
Nigeria’s most effective lineup-Ezinne Kalu, Promise Amukamara, Victoria Macaulay, Elizabeth Balogun, and Murjanatu Musa-played 15:56 together and posted a +12 plus-minus, proving highly impactful during the game’s key stretches.
With this result, Nigeria showcased their resilience and depth, using a balanced attack and dominant rebounding to overcome a determined Philippines squad. The second-half surge not only secured a convincing win but also sent a statement to the rest of Group A as the tournament continues in Villeurbanne.
