The FIBA Basketball World Cup is the toughest tournament to win, without question. 32 of the world’s best teams battle to make the final rounds in the tournament that is ongoing in The Philippines, Indonesia and Japan. The DR now has a good shot at moving to the second round.
Italy was the clear favorite, expected to finish with a comfortable lead over the Dominican Republic in Group A. Italy is ranked 10th. The DR is ranked 23rd by FIBA. As expected, Italy got off to a hot start, posting a lead of 12 points to 0 in the first six minutes of the game. Yet, DR got its act together early enough so the first quarter ended 19-13.
The team picked up more steam in the second quarter, and added 12 points, while Italy only scored one more point (20-25).
The third quarter was definitive. The DR team took Italy by storm. The third quarter was a time when the DR team relied on scoring three-pointers and the men got the shots. Andres Feliz and Karl Anthony Towns were effective at clinching the balls they received from team members. Throughout the game, the DR made 41% of its three-point attempts; Italy only 24%.
Italy tried to get their act together, but by the fourth quarter, it was too late. Italy won the fourth quarter 26-18, but the DR won the game – 87 to 82.
DR Coach Nestor García called the victory against Italy “unbelievable.” It was a historic first time a Dominican basketball team had defeated the Italian national team. Coach García explained during the press conference after the game that the team players are a mixture of basketball styles in Europe, the NBA and Latin America. “It is not easy when you have a lot of ways to play basketball, but you can also use it to your advantage to confuse the other team,” he explained.
Coach Nestor García has credited the win to playing as a team. During the victory against Italy, Andres Feliz (who plays with Joventut Badalona in Spain) was named the best player. He scored 24 points, including seven 3-pointers. Other outstanding players were Karl Anthony Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA), Jean Montero (Real Betis Baloncesto, Spain) and Victor Liz (Venezuela).
On Friday, 25 August, the DR had already defeated the host country Philippines, 87-81.
In the FIBA World Cup the two best teams move on to the second round.
The DR leads Group A with 2 games and 2 victories. Italy and Angola are tied to 1 win and 1 loss. The Philippines has lost its two games played. The Dominican team next plays Angola on Tuesday, 29 August 2023 at 4am Dominican time.
The Philippines will now play Italy on Tuesday, 29 August. The Philippines is ranked 40th and Angola 41st by FIBA. Italy was ranked 10th into the game. The DR was ranked 23rd.
Pablo Cormick of ESPN Argentina is betting on the DR: “Dominican Republic. They did it in 2019, and now have more depth in their roster. Argentine coach Nestor Garcia has the skills to solve complicated games against teams that look better on paper. He has blended experience and youth, and with the addition of a top player like Karl-Anthony Towns, can dream about reaching the quarterfinals.”
Remember this is the team that surprised Argentina when it won the last Americas slot in the World Cup in Argentina, 79 to 75 in February 2023.”
Follow the DR in the FIBA World Cup
ESPN
ESPN
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FIBA
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Sportsnet
Hoopswire
El Dia
El Dia
FIBA
Italy vs DR press conference
DR celebrates victory over Italy
DR vs Philippines
DR vs The Philippines
DR vs The Philippines
The Philippines vs DR press conference
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AS
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Andres Feliz on the first game against Philippines
Relevo
Digital Sports analysis of Italy vs DR
El Nuevo Diario
El Nuevo Diario
Diario Libre
28 August 2023