HERAKLION (2015 FIBA U19 World Championship) - Dominican Republic are playing at the FIBA U19 World Championship for the first time since 1983.

And while some might think they would be happy to just be at the party, the Dominicans have shown at the 2015 FIBA U19 Worlds that they just might be a future FIBA Americas force to be reckoned with. 

Jose Mercedes' team gave title contenders Serbia all they could handle, actually leading for a good portion of the game before eventually succumbing to an 82-77 defeat in their opening game. The next European heavyweight on the schedule, hosts Greece, didn't phase Dominican Republic either as they led for 15 minutes of the game before losing 70-65.

For all their efforts and praise coming from others about how well they played, Dominican Republic only has an 0-2 record to show in Group D. But they are showing no sign of disappointment.

"It's not disappointing because Serbia and Greece are very good teams and we are number 36 in the world," said captain Yerri Flores. 

"Serbia is number two in the world and Greece is number 10. So we are not disappointed at all. We are happy and we are doing a good job playing together."

Flores, who is averaging 13 points and 2.0 rebounds through two games, said playing against strong European teams is great to help the Dominicans improve. 

"It's our first [U19] World Championship so we are looking to grow up personally and in our basketball too. We play American style basketball. It's different. We want to play more like the Europeans' basketball."

Flores said he and his teammates are thrilled to be in Heraklion for the country's second U19 World Championship.

We are really excited. We represent 10 million people. We want to play together and always be happy and enjoy the game. -  Flores

The Dominican coach Mercedes was able to give his players some invaluable insight as he played at the 1983 U19 competition.

"We asked him how a World Championship is, how is European basketball. He told us they play patiently and that Dominican Republic is always the Cinderella. So we need to play with more energy and passion," Flores said. 

The point guard, who is attending high school in the United States, said the team got a bit of extra motivation two days before the tournament started in Greece when Dominican Republic's own Karl-Anthony Towns was the number one pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. 

"It's motivation for everyone on the team," he said. "This is motivation for all of us to follow our dreams."

Flores and the rest of the Dominican Republic players have a dream of finishing in the top eight in Heraklion, which would be an improvement on their ninth-place finish in 1983, when there were 14 teams competing.

"That would mean that basketball is changing and the people would support us more. It's a big opportunity for Dominican Republic.," he said.

FIBA