NASSAU (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019) — At the second window for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers’ conclusion, the Dominican Republic will not stay calm because they know that they will face a rival that pressed for more than 30 minutes in their first encounter three months ago and is in need of a victory now.

The Dominican Republic and the US Virgin Islands will open the double-game day on Sunday that will take place at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs Gymnasium in Nassau, Bahamas. The Dominicans are leaving their mark on Group D of the Americas Qualifiers, with a 3-0 record; while the Virgin Islanders (1-2) are returning after a hard defeat against Canada past Thursday.

The Dominican team —that have won their three games with an 18.3-point average— are not over-confidently heading to the encounter. 

“(We have to) stay very focused and not just assume that we're 3-0; we have to know that every game counts. If we want to get to the Basketball World Cup, we must be very focused to play against this team,” Victor Liz (DOM)Victor Liz (DOM)

In November's first window at Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic used their local state as an advantage to defeat the Virgin Islands, 99-89. However, the triumph was not an easy task for the Dominicans, since their rivals entered the last quarter with a point's advantage; but it was at this last segment when the Dominicans could set a distance in points.

“We know them, we played at home, but that can't give us the confidence of playing relaxed, but with more desire of winning the game we won (on Thursday against Bahamas),” Liz pointed out.

In that November game, Eloy Vargas led the Dominicans with 19 points and 11 rebounds; followed by the 16 and 10 by Sadiel Rojas.

The Dominican Republic expect to continue with their collective game, which has brought them to this point as team leaders in steals in the Americas Qualifiers, with a 16.0 average. They are also second place in points (94.3) and third place in efficiency (108.7).

“Playing together, moving the ball and playing the defense until we leave with the victory,” outlined point guard Ronald Ramón about what he believes are the steps for his team to defeat Virgin Islands.

Meanwhile, Virgin Islands will depend on their center’s Jamaal Samuels’ game (with 20.0 in points and 6.0 in rebounds) and on their point guard Walter Hodge's attacks, who averages 17.3 points and 4.7 assists in the three games he has played in the World Cup Qualifiers.

The Virgin Islanders — who have had to play their local games in The Bahamas— fell before Canada, 118-89, in the start of the second window. Virgin Islands strongly began the game dominating the first quarter, 27-21, and went to rest five points below (48-53). But in the following two quarters, the Canadians pressed harder and left the team coached by Milton Barnes with more questions than answers after their vital game against Dominican Republic.

FIBA