FIBAWWC2026: Nigeria Stages Comeback to Defeat Philippines 101–84

The Nigerian senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, on Saturday in faraway France came from behind to subdue the Gilas Pilipinas of Philippines 101–84 after the Philippines had taken the halftime lead with a score of 51–42.

Nigeria was stunned 21–26 in the first quarter and was again outplayed 21–25 in the second quarter. However, coach Rena Wakama, wary of recording a sixth loss while handling Nigeria, rejigged her strategy. The team responded by taking the third quarter in impressive fashion, winning 34–21, which demoralised the Gilas Pilipinas women and saw them lose the fourth quarter 25–14.
Nigeria dominated with 52–30 points in the paint and recorded 10 second-chance points. However, for the third game, Nigeria succumbed to opponents’ fast breaks, with the Gilas side recording 25–21 points in that category. Nigeria also secured 58–33 points from rebounds and 36–26 from assists.
Nigeria currently tops Group D in France after playing three matches, winning two and losing one, with a total of 231–198 points and five game points. France, with two games played, is second, having won both matches, with 203–114 total points and four game points.
Germany, also with two matches played and won, is third with 189–129 total points and four game points. South Korea sits fourth, having won one and lost one, with 126–136 total points and three game points.
Philippines, which just lost its third match to Nigeria, is fifth after losing all three games, with 230–329 total points and three game points, while Colombia sits at the bottom of the group table with two game points, having won none of its two matches and recording a dismal 85–158 total points.
For the records, the ranking of the group teams by the FIBA world basketball body is as follows: France – 3; Nigeria – 8; Germany – 12; Korea – 15; and Colombia – 19.