FIBA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS: D’Tigress fights back from defeat to beat the Philippines … turns attention to Sunday’s big clash against France
Oru Leonard
African Champions D’Tigress fought back from the brink of defeat in the first half to secure a sweet victory against the Philippines at the FIBA World Cup Qualification tournament in Lyon on Saturday.
A slow start from the Nigerian team in the first and second quarter saw the team losing the first half 42-51 points but a commanding and dominant resurgence in the third and final quarter ensured the girls picked the all important win 101-84 points.
Nigeria’s best player so far in the tournament, Victoria Macaulay was once again instrumental to D’Tigress’s comeback scoring 16 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists while Musa Mujarnatu emerged the most valuable player of the match with 10 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists.
Director General of the NSC Hon Bukola Olopade who was in Lyon to support the girls praised the team for their resilience and their never- give-up spirit while also thanking them for their understanding and patriotism whenever they are representing the country.
” I was so proud to see you girls show the resilience Nigerians are known for and it showed in the way you girls came back into the game”.
” Thousands of young girls in Nigeria look up to you girls always and I want to thank Ezinne for what you have been doing with your charity”.
President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF, Engr Musa Kida, also commended the girls for always giving their all whenever they wear the Green and white colours of the Country.
” You girls will always remain my African Queens and it is a proud moment for me seeing you all creating your own story in the history of Nigerian basketball”.
The Chief Executive Officer of Xejet, the official key sponsors of the NBBF and D’Tigress, Emmanuel Iza, also charged the girls to remain focused and take their resilient mentality into their next game on Sunday against host France.
” I have no doubt that your girls can beat the french on Sunday and that is the spirit I want you girls to approach the france game on Sunday”, he said.
(NSC Media, March 14th 2025)
