The Dominican Republic will keep fighting for a World Cup ticket

VALENCIA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers) — The Dominican Republic's attempt at being in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 is still alive. Their most recent performances in the Qualifiers have not rendered their expected results, but their focused has not changed.

The Caribbean squad concluded, 1-1, the beginning of the second quarter of the Americas Qualifiers and remains in fourth place of Group F, with 5-3, a game below Brazil (6-2), who occupy the third place that give them a direct ticket to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 that will take place in China.

The Dominican Republic said farewell to Chile at home and in Valencia, Venezuela lost dramatically against the locals in overtime. The team coached by Melvyn López started strong in the Qualifiers, with four consecutive victories, but since then is adding 1-3.

“Our performance this window was worthy of a team representative of the Dominican Republic, of what we are: a contentious and determined team, and that we're not going to give up so easily,” said López to FIBA.basketball.

The quintet played better in the fourth window than in those that took place in June and July, when they lost dramatically against Canada (97-61) and, to everyone's surprise, at home against the already eliminated Bahamians (83-82). During the first Qualifiers of the second round, they took no risks against the Chileans and performed well against Venezuela, but due to mental errors in the final stage, it was an uphill battle for the triumph.

“We fought in this window to try to give our country the opportunity of going back to a World Cup and we’ll keep trying it in each window we have ahead until we reach our objective,” López pointed out. The Dominican Republic has appeared twice at the FIBA Basketball World Cup: Philipines 1978 and Spain 2014.

Of the three defeats the Dominican Republic have accumulated in the continental qualifiers, two of them have been at the last minute. These results cannot be changed, but they are a lesson to the Dominicans.

“You learn a lot from each experience, and we're a team that knows how to internalize the mistake we make. We're ready to improve in each situation,” said López whose team will play the next window fully as visitors.

On Friday, November 30, the Dominican Republic will visit Brazil, and on December 3rd they will visit Chile (1-7).

“We know that we’ll have very tough commitments, but we're getting physically and mentally ready for it. I believe that the psychological aspect plays a fundamental aspect and we have to learn how to close the games,” said the coach.

Victor Liz - DOM

Although they must adjust some screws before the next window, the Dominican Republic should feel fine, since they have an efficient Víctor Liz back in their ranks for the attack (15.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists in eight games), besides the debut of point guard Edgar Sosa (8.5 points and 2.0 assists) and forward Ángel Delgado (9.0 points and 11.0 rebounds).

Angel Delgado - DOM

FIBA