DOM - The hunger is there to make history for Baez and NT

SANTO DOMINGO (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament) - If the Dominican Republic were to reach the Olympics for the first time this summer, just imagine what the party atmosphere would be like in Santo Domingo.

Basketball would move front and center in the Caribbean country.

Last year, the Dominicans captured the bronze medal at the FIBA Americas Championship in Mar del Plata.

They will now join Puerto Rico and hosts Venezuela at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Caracas, looking to claim one of the three remaining spots for the London Games.

"We would be making history in Dominican basketball because we have never qualified for the Olympics,” veteran power forward Eulis Baez said to FIBA.com.

"Last year, I stayed with the team. I´ll try to repeat if it possible, and if we qualify for the Olympics it’s even better.

"I hope to be with the team.

“I’d love to be!"

The 2.01 Baez averaged 7.1 points and 4.7 rebounds on last year’s team in Argentina.

The Santo Domingo-born star, who played this season for Joventut Badalona in Spain’s Liga Endesa, had been in the national team set-up but never made an appearance in a major event likes the Americas Championship before last year.

A right knee injury slowed him down at the end of the 2011-12 campaign but he is aiming to be 100% when it’s time to help the Dominican Republic this summer.

"First, I have to recover 100% and then my intention is to integrate into national team,” he said.

Dominican pride

Baez has a look of wonder when asked about putting on the Dominican jersey.

"The importance of representing my country is inexplicable," he said.

"It's an extra motivation to do well.

"I am proud to wear the Dominican shirt.

"It motivates me a lot to improve my game and do the right thing to represent my country."

Baez says there should be no doubt about the country’s hunger to reach London.

That includes the players, the federation and the fans.

"The country is heavily involved, are hopeful that we can obtain that, we showed we can compete," Baez said.

"We are going to Venezuela with a positive mind.

"Our goal is to qualify.

"This is what we expect as a group and we will try to go for it.

"My teammates and I are very motivated."

In Caracas, the Dominican Republic will be in Group C with Korea and Russia.

A victory would place them into a Quarter-Final against Angola, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and New Zealand.

Should they reach the Semi-Finals and win again, a place in London is theirs.

The Dominicans could still win the last game of the OQT against the other Semi-Final loser and advance to the Olympics with the last qualifying spot.

Who will lead them?

The training camp for the Dominican Republic will begin next month, yet it is still unclear who will coach the team.

Kentucky Wildcats coach John Calipari led the Dominicans last summer but didn’t commit to 2012.

Baez believes if Calipari, who steered Kentucky to this season’s NCAA title, were to return, it would be a great development for the team.

"So far the rumors are that he will be with us," Baez said.

"He has shown interest in being with the team.

"He's a great coach for us.

"He pushes you to where he has to push you to get the best out of you.

"For very young players, it can be messy because he presses a lot, but it helps you improve as a player.”

Another key player for the Dominican Republic is Al Horford.

One of the best players in the world, Horford was a statistical giant at the FIBA Americas Championship.

He was second in points (19 average), second in rebounding (9.2), first in steals (1.9), fourth in blocked shots (1) and eighth in assists (3.1).

Baez knows the importance of having Horford on this team.

"I have it very clear, right now he is the most important player in the Dominican Republic,” Baez said.

"He is the key to this team.

"He gives us defense and attack.

"He plays with virtually four players (defenders) around him.

"That is very important to us because we really have no other center of so many guarantees to fight in the paint and get rebounds."

Horford missed much of the NBA season with a chest injury but has returned to action and is playing in the first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics.

"I hope he recovers 100% to be with us," Baez said.

FIBA