Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, delivered a dominant second-half performance to defeat the Philippines 101-84 in their third Group D match at the FIBA Women’s World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament in Villeurbanne, France, on Saturday, March 14, 2026.
After an opening win over Colombia and a narrow loss to Korea, Coach Rena Wakama’s side improved to 2-1, showcasing resilience and firepower with a powerful third-quarter surge that turned the game decisively in their favour.
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Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
- Q1: Nigeria 21 – Philippines 26
- Q2: Nigeria 21 – Philippines 25 (Halftime: 42-51)
- Q3: Nigeria 34 – Philippines 21
- Q4: Nigeria 25 – Philippines 12
The Philippines led for much of the first half (22:01 total time leading), with 12 lead changes and 7 ties. However, D’Tigress exploded in the third quarter with a 34-21 run, taking full control and sealing the win with a 25-12 final period. Nigeria’s biggest lead was 10 points, powered by a 9-0 scoring run.
Photo Credit: FIBA
Key Stats
- Field Goal %: Nigeria 47% – Philippines 39%
- 3PT %: Nigeria 44.4% – Philippines 33.3%
- Free Throw %: Nigeria 75% – Philippines 80%
Nigeria’s superior depth, defensive intensity, and shooting efficiency in the second half proved decisive.
Top Performers
- Murjanatu Musa (Nigeria) — 24 points (game-high)
- Angelica Surada (Philippines) — 19 points
Post-Match Interview Reactions
Coach Rena Wakama (Nigeria) :
“We knew it would be a tough start against a fighting Philippines side, but I’m really proud of how the team responded after halftime. The third quarter was the turning point — we locked in defensively, executed our offence much better, and showed the character this group has. This win keeps us in a strong position for qualification. We must stay focused and take it one game at a time.”
Murjanatu Musa (leading scorer with 24 points):
“It feels amazing to bounce back with such a big win. We stayed patient in the first half even when we were down, then turned up the intensity after the break. The whole team contributed — that’s what makes this group special. Defence and teamwork were key today. We’re ready for the next challenges.”
Upcoming Fixtures for Nigeria (Group D)
- Sunday, March 15: Nigeria vs France – 7:00 PM
- Tuesday, March 17: Nigeria vs Germany – 5:00 PM
D’Tigress remain firmly in contention as they chase a strong finish and qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup.
