Dominican Republic will risk their undefeated status against a reinforced Canada squad

TORONTO (FIBA World Cup Americas Qualifiers 2019) — After the first four dates of the World Cup Qualifiers, Dominican Republic claimed the top spot at the Americas Group D as their own. However, that dominance will be put to the test this week against a very different Canadian National Team.

The Caribbean and the North American team will fight for the lead in their group when both teams meet this Friday at the Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto for their first match at the third window of the FIBA World Cup Americas Qualifiers. Dominican Republic lead Group D with a 4-0 record, followed by Canada with 3-1.

This will be the second occassion in which the Dominican Republic and Canada face each other at the Americas Qualifiers. Last November, the Dominicans overpowered the Canadians, 88-76, in a duel that took place in Santiago de los Caballeros. During that game, Dominicana led with 25 points by Rigoberto Mendoza, who was one of the four shooters that managed double-digits.

The Dominicans strongly dominated this encounter with Canada, a team that —in several moments— was behind by more than 20 points.

Now, the Canadian squad will play in front of their fans with a reinforced National Team. NBA hoop stars Dwight Powell (Dallas Mavericks), Dillon Brooks (Memphis Grizzlies) and Kelly Olynyk (Miami Heat) will be making their debut in these Qualifiers. Chris Boucher (who played for the Golden State Warriers) will be joining them, alongside former NBA player Andrew Nicholson and the young promise R.J. Barrett, who was added to the roster last week.

Barrett, who just turned 18, was MVP at the FIBA Basketball U-19 World Cup that took place last year, and where Canada made history by taking home the gold medal. Barrett will play for the Duke University Blue Devils the next season and his name is listed as the favorite to be first pick at the NBA Draft in 2019.

“It's a great honor. If I can, I try to represent my country every year and I'm very grateful for this opportunity,” Barrett recently said after a victory in a friendly match against China. Barrett averaged 18.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in the two victories against the Asian team.

 

Meanwhile, Dominicana will keep those players who have been a part of the efforts of qualifying to the FIBA Basketball World Cup China 2019. Players such as Rigoberto Mendoza, Víctor Liz, Sadiel Rojas and Luis Montero are back at the National Team’s ranks. The main novelties are point guard Edgar Sosa, and big men Eloy Vargas and Juan José García.

Although the Dominican Republic already have their ticket for the second phase of the Qualifiers, the duel against Canada is essential since all points and records from the first phase rollover to the phase that begins in September.

“Our directives and ourselves see this as though we have not done any work yet. We still have many things left to do, we still have a lot of road to travel, and our objective has to be more than clear,” said Dominican coach Melvyn López in a recent practice in Houston.

 Part of their preparation was playing friendlies against the United States.

To conclude the first round of the Qualifiers, on Monday July 2nd, Canada will welcome the US Virgin Islands at The Arena at TD Place in Ottawa. Meanwhile, Dominican Republic will do the same and will receive Bahamas at Palacio de los Deportes in Santo Domingo.

FIBA