FIBA Asia Cup 2025: Indian basketball beats Tahiti 78-55 to advance to semifinal qualifiers

The Indian basketball team progressed to the semi-final qualifiers at the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2025 Division B after beating Tahiti 78-55 in its final Group A match in Shenzhen, the People’s Republic of China, on Wednesday. Sreekala Rani (175-F-2001), with 15 points, six rebounds and five assists, was India’s top performer in the match played at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre. Moina Tuieinui-Le (183-C-1998) (15 points and 10 rebounds) managed a double and was Tahiti’s standout player in the contest. Sreekala Rani opened the scoring with a two-point layup but India, world No. 15 in the FIBA basketball rankings, failed to exert their dominance in the early exchanges as the unranked Tahiti went toe-to-toe. However, with the score reading 15-12, the script changed. India scored 10 unanswered points after that and took a 25-13 lead at the opening quarter hooter. The Indian team extended its lead to 46-25 at half-time before a fairly even third period saw the score at 61-40. India. However, edged the final quarter to drive home the win. Courtesy of the victory, India also finished second in Group A with five points - one behind Chinese Taipei, who defeated Kazakhstan 91-47 earlier in the day to seal the top spot and a direct entry into the semi-finals. The Indian basketball team, meanwhile, will face the third-placed team from Group B in the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2025 Division B semi-final qualifiers on Friday. India are returning to the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup fold after a four-year absence. They missed the 2023 edition following their relegation from Division A in 2021 and are now competing in Division B at this year’s continental championship. A total of eight teams, divided into two groups, are competing in Division B of the 31st FIBA Women’s Asia Cup. India were drawn in Group A with Kazakhstan, Chinese Taipei and Tahiti. After round robin matches, the two group toppers qualify directly for the semi-finals. Meanwhile, the second and third-placed teams from each group advance to the semi-final qualifiers, which decide the other two spots in the semis. The team that eventually wins the Division B final will be promoted to Division A for the next edition.
Courtesy of: olympics.com