In a closely fought game that ended 86-78 on Sunday, 8 September, the Dominican Republic (ranked 27th) defeated Uruguay (ranked 29th),and finally won its ticket to play in the FIBA World Championship. The country has been trying to earn the right to play in the World Championship since 1978.
The team, despite lacking the big names this year, was able to grab one of four slots available at the Caracas, Venezuela FIBA Americas Championship by defeating top-seeded Argentina (3rd), Canada (26th) and Puerto Rico (19th). Puerto Rico had been undefeated in the tournament until it played the Dominican Republic on Friday, 6 September.
When interviewed after the decisive game against Canada (81-74) on Saturday, 7 September, team captain Jack Michael Martinez and Coach Orlando Antigua attributed the win to synchronized play and teamwork.
The core players for the Dominican Republic were James Feldeine, Francisco Garcia, Eloy Vargas, Eulis Baez and team captain Jack Michael Martinez.
Coach Orlando Antigua said that after its initial win against Argentina, the team suffered major losses but was able to pull itself together for a victorious second half. He said the focus was on teamwork, moving the ball, ensuring that the distribution of the shots was good, defending together and trying to ensure a low number of lost balls.
Martinez said that the team had not had enough time to play together, having only played the Tuto Marchand Cup in Puerto Rico. He admitted the team had let down its guard after the important win against Argentina in the first round. “Watching the tournament we saw that we had the players to do it and proved this in the second round,” he said, speaking at a press conference after the win against Canada on Saturday, 7 September. Up till then, Dominican Republic had only been able to win one game against Canada in its previous eight confrontations.
Martinez credited University of Kentucky head coach John Calipari for having changed the team from an individual style to teamwork. Calipari coached the team on two separate occasions when it competed internationally. Martinez has said that with U of K assistant coach Orlando Antigua – a disciple of Calipari – now in charge, they have continued with this strategy.
The Dominican Republic will now play in the playoffs against Mexico, Argentina and Puerto Rico. The team’s first game will be on Tuesday, 10 September against Puerto Rico at 7:30pm (Venezuelan time). The finals will be decided on Wednesday, 11 September.
Game against Puerto Rico (94-82). www.fibaamericas.com/en/noticiasread4.asp?r=F4750AF7CFF44ACC80D6FC6AA3F1B0A2
Game against Canada (81-74).
www.caracas2013.com/en/noticiasread4.asp?r=5B1A96DD8ED2441FABFDD0CC3080C936
www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/basketball/dominican-republic-overpowers-canada-at-fiba-americas/article14177728/
www.coachcal.com/23497/2013/09/antiguas-dominican-republic-squad-qualifies-world-championships/