Gilas Women fall to African champion Nigeria to go 0-3 in FIBA Women's World Cup qualifiers

Gilas Pilipinas Women blew a double-digit lead to succumb to African powerhouse Nigeria, 101-84, and remain winless in the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament on Saturday in France.

The Filipinas built a lead as big as 10 midway through the second period, but could not sustain the momentum as world No. 8 Nigeria torched them in the fourth quarter to bounce back from a previous loss.

Gilas absorbed its third loss in as many games while Nigeria, the reigning five-time Women's AfroBasket champions, improved to 2-1 in Tournament D.

Angel Surada pushed Gilas Pilipinas Women to a 37–27 lead in the second quarter as the Philippines carried a 51–42 cushion into halftime behind five straight points from veteran Janine Pontejos.

Nigeria, however, flaunted its championship poise after slowly reclaiming the lead, racing to a 76-72 advantage at the end of the third before Ezzine Kalu sank a layup that extended their lead to 90-80. 

The Philippines was dealt a major blow when Sumayah Sugapong was carried off the court due to an apparent injury, but Stefanie Berberabe knocked down a pair of free throws to breathe life into the reigning Southeast Asian Gameschampions.

Nigeria then silenced the Filipinas with three straight three-pointers from Victoria Macaulay, Elizabeth Balogun, and Sarah Ogoke to finish the game. 

Kent Pastrana and Pontejos led the Filipinas with 16 points apiece while Berberabe and Louna Ozar chipped in 13 and 11 markers each.

Macaulay posted 16 points laced with six rebounds and five assists while Balogun and Kalu chipped in 14 and 13 markers. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News