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At Sydney’s Olympic Park Sports Centre: Fiba Asia Cup qualification semifinal: Tall Ferns 83 (Charlisse Leger-Walker 34, Tera Reed 23) Philippines 78 (Afril Bernardino 15, Jhazmin Joson 15, Jack Animam 14)
The Tall Ferns have held their nerve against a spirited Philippines team to reach the semifinals of the Fiba women’s Asia Cup.
The New Zealanders looked the superior team early, but the bustling Philippines side had the better of the third quarter to set up a thrilling finish.
At 72-all early in the final quarter, the game could have gone either way, but Charlisse Leger-Walker, the Tall Ferns’ best player on court, took control, dictating play and ultimately guiding her side to the final four.
The Tall Ferns will play Japan in their semifinal on Saturday night. Getting a top four finish also clinches them a spot at the next stage of the Olympic qualifying process.
Dave Rowland/Getty Images
Charlisse Leger-Walker top-scored for the Tall Ferns against Philippines.
Leger-Walker scored 34 points with six assists, while Tera Reed provided great support with 23 points.
Afril Bernardino and Jhazmin Joson shared scoring honours for the Philippines with 15 points, while Jack Animam got 14.
Leger-Walker said she was ‘’super-proud’’ of her teammates for keeping to their task.
As to her own performance, she said couldn’t rank it against other performances but termed it ‘’pretty good’’.
“I had to step up and focus on my finishing and get points on the board for my team when other things weren’t working. The leadership we had out there keeping our composure and poise right to the end of the game is what got us over the line. Just so proud of how we came out and how we finished that game.
Tall Ferns coach Guy Molloy termed it a “massive result’’.
“The ramifications are pretty broad,’’ he said in terms of making their next Olympics qualifying stage, which he understands will be in February.
“We think it will have a flow-on impact for the team and recognition of what the girls have been able to accomplish.”
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