NASSAU (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019) — When in 2013 the new qualifying format for the FIBA Basketball World Cup and the Olympic Games was announced, there was a lot of confusion surrounding it.

Many federations could not understand what this changed meant for the world of basketball. Some of them prepared in a timely fashion, some are still figuring out their identities, but one National Team that has known to take the most out of the new road for the greatest international competition —with no excuses— is the Dominican Republic.

The Caribbean squad is currently undefeated 3-0 in Group D of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Americas Qualifiers because they have been able to build a strong base of ballers that have accepted the task of defending their country's colors for the next World Cup, just as they did in Spain 2014 —their first World Cup participation after 36 years.

“We know that we must adapt to this new FIBA format. And now, in this second window, I think it has helped us a lot. As a team we're united, the group is really close and that is helping us,” Ronald Ramon (DOM)Ronald Ramon (DOM)

The first results of the Caribbean team back what Ramón is saying. Dominican Republic won their three first games with double-digit advantages and an 18.3-point average and is in a good position to qualify for the second round of the windows with a good record.

For both this month's commitments, the side coached by Melvyn López could give continuity to the work done in the first window, with 10 of the 12 players that were present in November. The new faces for this occasion have been small forwards Luis Montero and Juan Guerrero, who are debuting in the senior men's team. In fact, Montero made his mark in his first official game with the Dominican jersey, with 17 points and eight rebounds in the victory against Bahamas last Thursday.

Of the rest of the players, several have been in recent years in the National Team program, such as Víctor Liz, Rigoberto Mendoza, Adris de León, Sadiel Rojas, Edward Santana and Eloy Vargas; a fact that has given continuity to the job they have done in the court, and that has been demonstrated in the first two FIBA windows.

“Here are players that play internationally, there are young players, new players. We're trying that each one of the members that arrives fits in, and integrates in this new family. We're all equals here, we're all on the same page, and we all have the same objective,” Liz pointed out while praising the union and rapport the group has had.

Dominican Republic play on Sunday against the US Virgin Islands in the first of the two games that will take place at Nassau’s Kendal G. L. Isaacs Gymnasium. If they win —and with the two games left to play in the summer— the Dominicans would secure their ticket to the second stage of the windows that begin in September, no matter the evening's result between Canada and Bahamas.

Likewise, if they lose against the Virgin Islanders, the Dominicans would qualify for the second round if the Canadians defeat the Bahamians in Sunday’s second game.

FIBA