DOM - Martinez, the phantom of Merengue

CARACAS (FIBA Americas Championship/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - At 32 years of age, Jack Michael Martinez has done and seen almost everything. The great power forward has traveled all over the world in order to play basketball. Now, the flamboyant and eccentric Dominican Republic player has pulled another trick out of his bag - a mask.

After being severely cut and bruised in the team's first game against Brazil in the Jenaro 'Tuto' Marchand Cup in Puerto Rico last month, 'Yack' had to wear a mask to play. Requiring 15 stitches to the face and a heavily bruised right eye, he did not have a choice, so he wore the mask.

In the Dominican Republic's opening game at the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship, a 91-72 win over Argentina, Martinez pulled out a mask with the flag of his country.

Tournament directors did not know what to do, as the ruling says that a mask is just a mask and it can be used as long as it does not pose a threat to the other players.

After a while, he took out the flag and came out with his black and white mask. What was the difference? No one knows, but it was good enough for the Dominican Republic to crush Argentina.

"Everyone knows there is only one Yack Michael Martinez, look at my hair, my long beard, my colors in my headbands. I'm unique! Why will I play with a normal mask!" he told FIBA.com.

After that, Yack Michael started to laugh. Told that he was being called the "Phantom of Merengue" on Twitter and that his name is as special as his Caribbean merengue rhythm which makes him a fan favourite, he said: "Ay mi madre! (Ohh my God), were they really calling me that?". When this was confirmed to him, he laughed some more.

Without a doubt, Martinez is a world-class rebounder and hustler. He is the heart and soul of his Caribbean team that looks solid in this tournament.

But there is a difference for Yack.

"This is a different team from past editions. The players who are here, really want to represent the Dominican Republic. That is the main difference," he said.

"But picking the right players has been key, this mix of young and veterans who try hard day in and day out. If my mask helps our team win, I will wear it, even if it's not necessary.

"Our goal is not to be favorites and come out with our heads down like before, it's to be in Spain in 2014 at the FIBA Basketball World Cup."

For full and in-depth coverage of the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship, go to the official website http://www.caracas2013.com/en/default.asp?lang=en.

FIBA