D’Tigress Prepare to Face Philippines After Loss

The Nigerian senior women's basketball team, D’Tigress, is set to bounce back against the Philippines after suffering a 77-60 defeat to South Korea in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifiers held in Lyon, France. The African champions had previously opened the tournament with an impressive 70-37 victory over Colombia.

However, the physically aggressive South Korean team disrupted Nigeria's rhythm, leading to 22 turnovers that proved costly. Head coach Rena Wakama assessed the defeat, acknowledging South Korea's strong defensive strategy and the challenges faced by her team in shooting and ball control.

Despite the loss, Wakama remains confident, stating that the setback will not derail the team's morale. Veteran center Victoria Macaulay was recognized as a valuable player for her performance against Colombia, scoring 22 points and grabbing six rebounds.

D’Tigress have already secured qualification for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup scheduled for September in Berlin, making the qualifiers primarily a preparation phase.