DOM - Calipari pleased after win over 'friendly' rivals

SAN JUAN (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament) - There appears to be a genuine sense of camaraderie and mutual respect that has developed the past several years between the Dominican Republic and their Caribbean brothers Puerto Rico, a couple of sides that have squared off in some vitally important games.

Puerto Rico beat the Dominicans in the 2008 Centrobasket Semi-Finals in Mexico before capturing the title and they downed the Dominicans again in 2010 in Santo Domingo in the Final.

On Sunday, the Dominicans and Puerto Ricans went at it again in the championship game of the 2012 Centrobasket and this time, the John Calipari-coach Dominicans won, 80-72.

"We were finally able to avenge that," said Dominican Republic captain Jack Michael Martinez.

"They beat us in Santo Domingo and now we responded.

"We have always have good battles against them."

The Dominicans won their bronze-medal clash with Puerto Rico at the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship in Argentina, too.

While the 2012 Centrobasket title is worth celebrating, Calipari and his players know the event was mainly a tune-up for the 12-team FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Caracas.

At the OQT, which tips off 2 July, Puerto Rico will take on Greece and Jordan in Group A and the Dominicans will face Russia and Korea in Group C.

Calipari, who is one of the great in America college basketball at the University of Kentucky, the side he led to the 2012 NCAA Championship, said: "Puerto Rico played well from a physical standpoint, but missed shots that usually they don't.

"They never gave up and neither did we.

"It was a dogfight throughout the game."

Al Horford and Francisco Garcia get a lot of attention when it comes to the Dominican Republic because they are NBA players, but Calipari highlighted the play of others.

"Manuel Fortuna, Juan Coronado played great and Jack Michael Martinez was a beast," Calipari said.

"They always responded when we needed big baskets.

"Now we just have to prepare for the Pre-Olympic tournament."

And looking ahead to Caracas, Calipari said: "My wish is not just that the Dominican Republic qualify but also that Puerto Rico goes through so that both teams get to play at the Olympic."


FIBA