DOM - Toro to coach the Dominican Republic

ISLA MARGARITA (2009 FIBA Americas Championship) – Julio Toro has been named the new head coach of the Dominican Republic senior national team that will play in the 2009 FIBA Americas Championship to be played from August 26 to September 6 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The Dominican Baskteball Federation (Fedombal) named the Puerto Rican coach after talking to other candidates that included Flor Meléndez, among others.

The contract of Toro is for four years and that also includes the development of basketball in the country.

"We have a guaranteed development for our basketball with these four years that Toro will serve to the national team," said Cesar Hilaire to basketdominicano.com.

Toro will arrive next week to the Dominican Republic. One of his assistants is Melvin Lopez who was recently named to coach Soles de Mexicali. His other assistants are José "Maíta" Mercedes, José Diloné and Antonio "Chicho" Sibilio.

During his career he coached the Puerto Rican and Venezuelan national team. He won silver in the 1992 FIBA Americas Championship by coaching Venezuela. He also coached Puerto Rico to a 92-73 win over the United States in the 2004 Olympics.

The practices start on July 13 at Palacio de los Deportes Virgilio Travieso Soto.

Al Horford, Charlie Villanueva, Francisco García, Trevor Ariza, Luis Flores, Sammy Mejía, Jack Michael Martínez, Eulis Báez, Marlon Martínez, Kelvin Peña and Iván Almonte, among others will be called to the practices.

FIBA Americas