Basketball: Tall Ferns finish 5th at Asia Cup after gutsy win over Philippines
Photo:
ADEK BERRY
New Zealand has finished fifth at the 2025 FIBA Women's Asia Cup, after posting a 78-71 win over the Philippines in Shenzhen, China.
It was a gutsy victory for the Tall Ferns in the topsy-turvey 5th/6th playoff match, with key players Esra McGoldrick, Emme Shearer and McKenna Dale again to the fore.
New Zealand started strongly, leading the Philippines by six points at the end of the first quarter, only to have the lead cut to four by the end of the first half.
The Philippines then had their best quarter, outscoring the New Zealanders by seven points to take a three-point lead into the final quarter.
But New Zealand found another gear just when they needed to, as Shearer and Dales nailed key baskets, to get the team back in front.
Their superior rebounding was also a big factor in the comeback, as they dominated the glass, out-rebounding their opponents 66-35, with 31 of the rebounds at the offensive end.
McGoldrick, who is also the captain, finished the game with 17 points, seven rebounds, while Shearer had 16 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Dale contributed strongly as well with 11 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
Coach Natalie Hurst said it had been a period of adjustment for the squad.
"We don't really talk about our lead up, but with this particular group, you know, I had a Tall Ferns squad in May, we had four days of practice. We played three games against the Opals, then I get a Tall Ferns squad in July with five people changed. We have three practices and two practice matches and then we come to Asia Cup.
"With the new staff, I've had eight practices in total, with two different squads, and we've come out and we've done ourselves proud here at the Asia Cup," she said.
Shearer was also happy with the way the group stuck to their processes throughout the game.
"I think we grinded out a really tough game. We stayed together really well as a team, and I think the fact we can go through those ups and downs and still find a way to win and kinda like Nat said - the short amount of time we had together, everyone buying in to what we had to do… at the end of the day, that's what helped us be super successful."
The squad and coaching staff will turn their attention to World Cup qualification, which will begin next year.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero
,
a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
10 hours ago
- RNZ News
ANZ Netball Premiership secures broadcast deal - all games free-to-air
TVNZ has now won exclusive rights for NZ Netball games next year. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ After months of negotiations, New Zealand Netball has secured a broadcast deal for the 2026 ANZ Premiership - and it will be free to air. Sky Sport has been the major broadcast partner of New Zealand Netball since 2008, but the national body is going back to TVNZ - its first home. How much TVNZ are actually paying for the rights, if any, is not being disclosed and it seems inevitable that players will have to take pay cuts next year. TVNZ has been in [ cost-saving mode but Netball NZ will be hoping that by having the games all free-to-air, they will attract bigger sponsorship deals. Last year Netball NZ and Sky TV agreed to a one-year extension to their broadcasting partnership. RNZ reported that it was a significantly reduced deal. In 2024, Netball NZ trialled free-to-air coverage of the ANZ Premiership, showing Saturday games live on TVNZ. This year, Netball NZ produced the Saturday game, which screened exclusively on TVNZ, and Sky got it on delay. TVNZ has now won exclusive rights for next year for the whole domestic competition. Games will be shown across TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+. TVNZ head of sports, events and partnerships Melodie Robinson said netball was one of New Zealand's most popular codes and they were excited to have secured the competition. "Our netballers are at the top of their game, they're powerful wāhine toa, and we're thrilled to be connecting tamariki with the heroes who inspire them, bringing the excitement straight into their homes each weekend." Netball New Zealand chief executive Jennie Wyllie has welcomed the return of netball to free-to-air television, calling it a fantastic outcome for fans. "Following a season where we've seen, strong broadcast numbers, fantastic match attendances and unprecedented global viewership, it's exciting to now have the opportunity for even more New Zealanders to enjoy the game. Netball is played and loved by hundreds of thousands across Aotearoa, and this move will help bring the sport closer to communities nationwide." New rule innovations introduced this year, including the captain's timeout and the game changing two-point shot are set to return for the season to run Saturdays and Sundays starting in April. The competition will follow the two-round format, played between the six domestic teams across the motu before the finals series. There will be 30 round robin matches and two finals over a 12-week period. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
10 hours ago
- RNZ News
NRL: NZ Warriors forced into injury changes against Dolphins
The NZ Warriors will face the Dolphins in a pivotal NRL encounter without the services of captain James Fisher-Harris, hooker Wayde Egan and five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita on Friday. Coach Andrew Webster has promoted Demitric Vaimauga into the starting row to replace Fisher-Harris, who is expected to miss two weeks with a calf injury. Egan is under concussion protocols, after leaving the field in the first half against Gold Coast Titans on Saturday, and back-up Sam Healey will make his second appearance for the club, after crossing the Tasman from Cronulla his season. Harris-Tavita is also nursing a calf niggle and will concede his No.6 jersey to experienced utility Te Maire Martin. Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Adam Pompey, 4 Kurt Capewell, 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6. Te Maire Martin, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. Demitric Vaimauga, 9. Sam Healey, 10. Jackson Ford, 11. Leka Halasima, 12. Marata Niukore, 13. Erin Clark Interchange: 14. Taine Tuaupiki, 15. Jacob Laban, 16. Freddy Lussick, 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith Reserves: 18. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 20. Bunty Afoa, 21, Ed Kosi, 22. Kalani Going, 23. Makaia Tafua More to come Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
11 hours ago
- RNZ News
Pay cuts on the cards for NZ netballers
New Zealand's best netballers may be turning to side hustles next season to make ends meet. Pay cuts for are on the cards in the ANZ premiership as the broadcast negotiations drag on. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen. Tags: To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
