Vargas: ''If we all buy in, Dominican Republic can do something special''

BOULAZAC (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers) - Eloy Vargas wasn't thrilled with the idea of putting on the Dominican Republic jersey several years ago but Orlando Antigua changed that.

A former assistant to John Calipari on the national team, Antigua became head coach after the 2012 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament and one of the first players he brought into the fold was Vargas. Why did it take so long for the Dominicans to get Vargas, a player that was so good that he suited up for American college basketball powerhouse Kentucky Wildcats? Vargas explained.

"When I was 15, I got invited to the U15 team and didn't make it," he said to FIBA.basketball. "I don't know why and I got a little disappointed and didn't want to go to any tournaments after that.

"Orlando is one of my guys, he's like my mentor. So when he took to the job, he needed me. I came back for him."

Vargas intimidates with his defense

Vargas has been a linchpin in the side ever since. He hasn't missed a summer with the national side since he played at the 2013 Tuto "Marchand" Continental Cup. He recently crossed the Atlantic to take part in his country's first couple of World Cup Qualifiers, at home against the Virgin Islands and Canada.

The Dominican Republic won both games.

"The travel part is a little difficult sometimes because of my height but when I'm able to go and play, I want to go because you have to represent where you come from," he said. "My home town is only 10 minutes from where we played. All my family was there so it was very important for me to be there."

Vargas was one of the team's top performers in the 99-89 triumph over a very good Virgin Islands team on November 24, scoring 19 points, corralling 11 rebounds and coming up with two steals.

He also helped the Dominicans go 2-0, albeit playing fewer minutes, with the team knocking off Canada, 88-76.

Vargas says the time spent traveling back home for the games was definitely worth it.

"It's an honor for us to play on the level and especially in the Dominican Republic," he said. "Playing for the Dominican Republic, when I was a kid, it was something that I dreamed of. I have a lot of passion to compete for my country, my people and my family."

Vargas is a reminder of how good the Dominican Republic were just a few years ago, and how successful they can still become.

At the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Bilbao, the Dominicans were underdogs in a group that included the United States, Turkey, Ukraine, New Zealand and Finland. They did not have long-time NBA star Al Horford, who has not played for the team since the 2012 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Caracas. Yet they won a couple of games, beating Ukraine and Finland.

Vargas made his mark in a 74-68 win over the Finns, scoring 18 points, grabbing 13 rebounds and blocking 4 shots.

The Dominicans made it to the Round of 16 and though they lost to Slovenia, their overall performance left a good taste in the mouths of the players.

"At the World Cup, we got real close together, practiced together for two months and all the guys bought into the team (concept), we were trying to prove everyone wrong," he said. "It was special to win and especially against Ukraine and Finland. We came out with a couple of good wins so it was good."

Vargas believes his national team can again make it to the World Cup again and if they do, win more games.

"WHEN WE COME TOGETHER, WE JUST HAVE THE PASSION, THE DESIRE TO PROVE THAT WE CAN COMPETE AT THE TOP LEVEL. WE HAVE THAT FIGHT INSIDE US" VargasVargas

"If we all buy in, I think we can do something special for the Dominican Republic," he said.

In the World Cup Qualifiers, the team has yet to play the other team in its First Round group, the Bahamas, yet will be favored when they do in February. They will also take on the Virgin Islands, this time on the road, in the next window.

"They played great against us in the first game," he said. "We'll have to go to their home and fight the same way we did."

One game game that Vargas anticipates being a struggle will be their away game against Canada.

"We've got to play Canada in June so we have to come ready to play," he said. "I know they're going to probably have all the guys they were missing from these windows, so we have to bring our best to be able to compete with them."

It helped in the World Cup Qualifiers that the Dominicans were able to welcome back Eulis Baez. He had not played at the FIBA AmeriCup 2017.

"He helped us a lot with his experience, helped the young guys with his leadership that he brought to the table," Vargas said.

It helped Vargas to know that his coach at Boulazac Basket Dordogne Pro in France, Claude Bergeaud, was excited for him to represent his country.

"When I told him, 'Coach, I want to go to the games,' he was like, 'Sure, go, go, go. I know you feel passion for your country. I know how it is because I coached the (France) national team."

Bergeaud was at the helm of France they finished third at the FIBA EuroBasket 2005 in Serbia and Montenegro and fifth at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2006 in Japan.

The coach was happy to see Vargas return to France, too, because in his first game back on Saturday, he had 17 points and 12 rebounds in a victory over Strasbourg.

Vargas is now focused on French league basketball again, but soon enough his gaze will turn back to the Dominican Republic. It's going to be fun.

"When we come together, we just have the passion, the desire to prove that we can compete at the top level," he said. "We have that fight inside us."

FIBA