Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, defeated the Philippines women's national basketball team 101–84 in a hard-fought game at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament in Villeurbanne, France.
The victory helped Nigeria bounce back strongly after a difficult outing earlier in the tournament.
D’Tigress improved their record to 2–1, while the Philippines dropped to 0–3 in the competition.
Despite the final score, the game was far from easy for the African champions.
The Philippines started brightly and even built a double-digit lead at one point in the first half before Nigeria recovered.
The Southeast Asian side showed energy and strong teamwork, producing what officials described as a “show” of their potential on the global stage.
The team played with “passion, heart and belief,” combining fast transition plays with aggressive defense and sharp shooting.
Several Filipino players also delivered strong performances, with Janine Pontejos, Louna Ozar, Kent Jane Pastrana and Stefanie Berberabe all scoring in double figures during the contest.
However, Nigeria’s experience eventually made the difference.
The African champions dominated the second half and pulled away late to secure the 17-point victory.
The match was part of preparations for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026, which will be held in Berlin later this year.
Nigeria had already qualified for the tournament after winning the 2025 FIBA Women's AfroBasket.
Teams in the qualifying tournament are using the games to sharpen their squads ahead of the global event.
For Nigeria, the win keeps momentum alive as they continue their preparations for the World Cup and aim to improve on their recent performances on the international stage.
