The Dominican Republic lost to Brazil 71-63 to a full house of fans at the Palacio de los Deportes on 25 February. Nevertheless, Team Dominican Republic had the point average to win a slot to the August China FIBA World Cup, the prestigious international basketball championship. Puerto Rico defeated Uruguay 65-61 in San Juan, Puerto Rico to win the last slot available during the Americas Qualifiers.
FIBA reported that Team Dominican Republic ended with a 7-win, 5-loss record (19 points) and secured their qualification, because the goal average in the tie with Uruguay favored them and so, they became the best fourth team of groups E and F of the Americas Qualifiers.
For the Puerto Ricans this is their 14th world cup since 1959. For the Dominican Republic, it will only be the team’s third appearance. Others were Spain (2014) and Philippines (1978).
“Thank God and the fans who accompanied us in these games. I want to thank each one of the guys who were here for a year and five months to get this qualification. We feel very grateful. I’m blessed and fortunate. We dedicate this qualification to the Dominican people,” said Coach Melvyn López.
Aleksandar Petrović, Brazil team leader, remarked at the end of the DR vs. Brazil game: “When you have a low percentage in three-point shots it’s complicated. In the last three minutes we went out with a team that was physically equal, we went out in the counterattack and we were able to win. Dominicana deserves to have won that World Cup ticket. There among the great teams that’ll be in China.”
Efforts will now intensify to convince Dominican NBA basketball players, Boston Celtics’ Al Horford and Minnesota Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns to join the team in China.
26 February 2019