NASSAU (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019) — It has been almost three months since the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas started off in different roads toward the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Qualifiers. Now, for the Americas window that begins on Thursday, the Dominicans are striving to move closer to the second round of the Qualifiers, while the Bahamians seek to keep their hopes of playing beyond the summer.

The Dominican Republic and the Bahamas will face each other in the first day of the second stage of the World Cup Americas Qualifiers, when they play Thursday night at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs National Gymnasium, as part of Group D of the Americas Division A.

On November, the Dominicans (2-0) strongly commenced the Qualifiers with victories against Canada and the Virgin Islands, whose teams, in turn, defeated the Bahamas (0-2). Both teams’ coaches are certain that the defense is the key to a triumphant exit.

“We have to defend and rebound the ball to begin the counterattack, which will be our main weapon,” said Dominican coach Melvyn López.

López will have at his disposition practically the same team he had in November, with the addition of shooting guard and small forward Luis Montero, as well as forward Juan Guerrero, both of whom are making their debut with the senior Dominican side.

“We’ve been very impressed with the guys because they've arrived with a lot of enthusiasm and desire,” López argued, and said to be very impressed with the attitude of the players for the two games that will take place in Nassau this week.

Meanwhile, Mario Bowleg, Bahamas coach, will have a renovated roster for the two games that will be played at home. A total of eight players that were not in November will be present in this occasion, including forward Jonathan Fairell, who averages 11.4 points and 7.4 rebounds with Club ADA Blois in France's second division.
“The good thing is we have fellows who can defend and put the ball in the hole. Notice I keep talking about that word defence. You have to make stops in order to get out and score,” Bowleg stressed to Tribune242.
With Fairell in making their debut in the FIBA Basketball World Cup Americas Qualifiers are Michael Bain, Shavanno Cooper, Leon Cooper, Alonzo Hinds, Christopher Turnquest, Kentwon Smith and Eugene Bain. They are joining Abel Joseph, Robert Nortman, David Nesbitt and Keno Burrows, who were in the November windows.
“We are comfortable, and we feel good and ready for Thursday,” Bowleg proclaimed.

“We are way better defensively and that is a plus. We are going to get some stops and we will ride our horses down the end,” said Eugene Bain of the Bahamas. 

On Sunday's game day, Dominican Republic will face the USVI and Bahamas will do the same against Chanada. In the summer window (June 29-July 2), the three teams that will move forward to the second round of the Qualifiers that begins in September.

FIBA