LAS PALMAS (FIBA Basketball World Cup/2015 FIBA Americas Championship) - The Dominican Republic enjoyed their return to the biggest stage in international hoops at last summer's FIBA Basketball World Cup.

In their first appearance at the event since 1978, they were not, as some feared might be the case, the whipping boys of Group C in Bilbao but rather a pleasant surprise.

The team not only won a couple of games and finished third to advance to the Round of 16, but showed panache.

One of the players to realize a dream by taking part in the 24-team event was Eulis Baez, a 1.98m forward from Santo Domingo.

The 32-year-old's best performances came in the Dominicans’ two victories.

He had nine rebounds to go with his eight points in a 76-63 triumph over New Zealand and in the next game, he helped his national side improve to 2-1 with 12 points and nine rebounds in a 74-68 triumph over Finland.

The two victories were enough to see the team into the next stage of the competition.

"It was fun," Baez said to FIBA.com. "We went there to enjoy ourselves but also to compete. 

"I think for the time (since 1978) that we were at the tournament, we did well."

We really enjoyed it and had a good time at the World Cup. - Baez

The Dominicans once had a team with a lot of potential but one that couldn't quite get over the hump and qualify for a major event.

They had come within a single victory at the 2012 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) of reaching the London Games.

In 2013, their luck changed. The Dominicans started fast at the FIBA Americas Championship and qualified for the World Cup with a fourth-place finish.

Baez was crucial, not only with his scoring but his rebounding and passing.

The team was much improved in 2014.

"I think we were better organized than in years past and we'll try to build on that," Baez said. 

The 32-year-old looks back at the World Cup and says there can be no regrets.

They were good in the Round of 16 for much of their game against Slovenia but lost, 71-61.

Zoran Dragic had 18 points and four steals and his NBA superstar brother, Goran Dragic, finished with 12 points and six assists.

"We played a great team, Baez said. 

"The Dragics are pretty good and they hurt us a lot. You have to give it to them, they had a great game that night."

Can the Dominicans become a team that continues to reach the big events and maybe go one step further and challenge for medals?

Young Dominican center Karl Towns is one of the top freshman in American college basketball this season with a Kentucky Wildcats team that is led by former Dominican Republic coach John Calipari.

There are other players on the way up, too. The Dominicans put a lot of talent on display at the 2014 FIBA Americas U18 Championship for Men in Colorado Springs and claimed third place.

"We have a lot of young kids coming up and we’re going to try involve them in the national team and get them together so that when they come to tournaments like this (World Cup), they’re already prepared and they know each other," Baez said.

A player the team will no longer have, however, is Francisco Garcia.

The long-time NBA guard was amazing at times in Bilbao, but said at the World Cup that it was going to be his swan song.

"Someone has to come up and step up because every year or two, someone retires," Baez said. 

"I think he's (Garcia) definitely retired. 

"He said he's not going to play anymore and we believe him so now, we just have to wait and see who is going to step up." 

As for the coaching situation, there hasn't been much of an adjustment to make in moving from Calipari ahead of the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship to his former assistant at Kentucky and current South Florida Bulls boss, Orlando Antigua.

"Not really," Baez said. "Orlando speaks our language (Spanish) but English prevails usually. 

"It’s the same thing, the same system, the same enthusiasm in the game so nothing has changed. 

"Calipari is a great teacher." 

So what of 2015? What kind of Dominican team can we expect to show up in Mexico for the FIBA Americas Championship?

"I'm hoping that the team that gets together, we have a good squad," Baez said. 

"We'll have a chance. Any team that competes has a chance. 

"But we have to be honest. Most of the time, the big teams, the United States and stuff like that, they have the big opportunity."

Baez is right now helping Gran Canaria put together another good season in Spain’s Liga Endesa.

He has the opportunity to play for one of the all-time great coaches in the country, Aito Garcia, the man who was Spain's Olympic team coach in 2008.

In Tuesday's 89-85 win at Murcia, Baez had 17 points and 10 rebounds and showed why he is a fan favorite in Gran Canaria.

"I feel like I'm getting better and helping the team," he said.

"I've gotten better over the years, and a gotten an opportunity to play a little more. 

"But right now, I'm just thinking about our season here. 

"I am hoping by the end of the season that I feel like playing again with the team. If not, we'll see. I'm also considering stepping out of the national team and letting the young kids come in."

FIBA