The Indian U16 women’s basketball team continued their sensational run at the FIBA U16 Women’s Asia Cup 2025 – Division B, storming into the semi-finals with a commanding 71-54 win over Samoa.
The victory sealed India’s place at the top of Group A with an unbeaten 3-0 record, underlining their credentials as the team to beat in the hunt for promotion back to Division A. This marks a turning point for Indian youth basketball, as the girls have not only remained undefeated but also shown resilience, tactical maturity, and depth across three tightly contested group games.
India’s journey began with a gritty comeback against Iran (70-67), where they erased an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter to snatch a thriller. Reva Kulkarni and Mahek Sharma led the fightback, while the team’s composure in the closing minutes set the tone for the campaign. That was followed by a confident 81-69 victory over Uzbekistan, a game where India shrugged off a slow start to dominate the middle quarters. Forward Viha Jonnalagadda produced a monster performance with 24 points and 13 rebounds, asserting India’s physical presence inside the paint.
By the time they faced Samoa in the final group clash, India’s confidence was soaring. Yet, the Pacific islanders proved no pushovers, reducing the gap to just four points early in the fourth quarter. It was then that India displayed their best basketball of the tournament so far, going on a decisive 13-0 run to close out the contest and clinch first place in Group A.
Star Performers Against Samoa
The victory over Samoa was built on an all-round team effort, with five players scoring in double figures. Reva Kulkarni once again set the tone, posting 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists in a near triple-double performance. Point guard Nethra Birudavolu was the engine of India’s offense, contributing 14 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists, and 6 steals, a stat line that underlined her two-way impact.
Aditi Subramanian chipped in with 14 points, while Mahek Sharma controlled the boards with 11 points and 15 rebounds. Viha Jonnalagadda added her second straight double-double, tallying 10 points and 14 rebounds. This balanced scoring reflected India’s depth and versatility, something coach Anitha Pauldurai a stalwart of Indian basketball’s golden 3×3 generation has emphasized since taking charge.
The match against Samoa was not straightforward. India started strong, but Samoa, led by Adelaide Filemu (18 points, 7 rebounds) and Marley Sialeipata (15 points, 17 rebounds, 6 assists), fought back with grit. Midway through the fourth quarter, Samoa cut India’s lead to 52-48, raising hopes of an upset. But India responded like true contenders. Sharma’s inside presence steadied the team, before Birudavolu and Subramanian turned turnovers into fast-break points. Kulkarni’s three straight points and an assist to Jonnalagadda widened the gap further, while Subramanian’s back-to-back buckets broke Samoa’s spirit.
From there, India cruised, their defensive intensity suffocating Samoa in the final minutes. By the final buzzer, the margin had swelled to 17 points, with the entire squad celebrating at center court knowing they had achieved something special.
For India, this run carries deeper meaning. After being relegated from Division A in 2022, the U16 program has been in rebuilding mode. The current squad, under the guidance of Anitha, embodies a new generation hungry to put India back among Asia’s elite. The resilience shown against Iran, the dominance against Uzbekistan, and the composure against Samoa all point to a side learning to handle pressure and expectations. With the semi-finals now on the horizon, the mission is clear: finish in the top two and secure promotion.
Semi-Final Clash Awaits
By topping Group A, India advanced directly to the semi-finals on September 18. Their opponents will be the winner of the Uzbekistan vs Indonesia qualification game. If India maintains their form, they will start favorites. But the knockout stage brings new challenges nerves, heightened stakes, and opponents with nothing to lose. For the Indian girls, it is an opportunity to script history.
Statistical Picture
- India 70-67 Iran
– Key comeback win; trailed by 11 points in Q4.
– Reva & Mahek crucial in the fightback. - India 81-69 Uzbekistan
– Strong middle quarters.
– Viha Jonnalagadda: 24 pts, 13 rebs. - India 71-54 Samoa
– Decisive 13-0 run in Q4.
– Kulkarni: 20 pts, 9 rebs, 7 ast.
– Birudavolu: 14 pts, 10 ast, 6 stls.
– Sharma: 11 pts, 15 rebs.
– Jonnalagadda: 10 pts, 14 rebs.
– Subramanian: 14 pts.
Unbeaten in three games, India’s dominance has been both statistical and psychological, sending a clear signal to the rest of the field. Indian basketball has often struggled to break through at the continental level, but this campaign feels different. The blend of tactical coaching, balanced scoring, and never-say-die spirit has created momentum that could carry them all the way.
If the semi-final goes India’s way, not only will they contest the final, but they will also secure a much-coveted return to Division A, where Asia’s heavyweights like China, Japan, and Australia await. For now, the young girls can savor their unbeaten run. But come September 18, the real test begins. A victory in the semi-final will ensure that this journey already historic becomes truly unforgettable.
