New Zealand basketballer McKenna Dale in action at the 2025 FIBA Women's Asia Cup. 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.
'Done ourselves proud'
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.
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