U19 Worlds "veteran" Mercedes ready to lead Dominicans to Greece

SANTO DOMINGO (2015 FIBA U19 World Championship) - The Dominican Republic have not appeared at the FIBA U19 World Championship since the 1983 edition, but head coach Jose Maita Mercedes will have a special insight to provide his players for this summer's event.

At least 13 years before any of his players were even born, Mercedes was playing for the Dominicans in their first World Championship in Spain.

The Caribbean nation lost all three games in group play against Yugoslavia, Canada and Argentina. But then they reeled off four straight victories in the consolation round, beating China, Australia, Uruguay and Angola to finish ninth in the maiden appearance in the competition.

"I remember the consolation round. Despite losing three games, we had to give everything we had," said Mercedes, who averaged 7.7 points per game during that tournament.

The 51-year-old will be back in Europe this summer for the FIBA U19 World Championship - this time as the coach of the Dominican Republic. 

"This is a great satisfaction because it allows us to compete at the world level," said the coach. "It also gives us the chance to see and have contact with countries from other continents.

Mercedes and his team will not have an easy task at the U19 Worlds, which take place from 27 June-5 July in Heraklion (Crete), Greece. The Dominicans have been drawn into Group A with Greece, Serbia and Korea. 

"Serbia are among the best in the world. Greece will be a tough opponent as hosts and we don't know much about the Koreans," said the coach.

Mercedes said his goal is to finish among the top eight in the world. 

While he knows such a result will be difficult, he believes his team learned a lot by getting through the difficult FIBA Americas U18 Championship.

Though they lost to Canada and the United States, the Dominicans collected victories over South American powerhouses Brazil and Argentina as well as Puerto Rico - a team filled with many players who also featured at last summer's 2014 FIBA U17 World Championship.

"It's very important to match up against the high level of teams like the United States and Canada. That is how you improve and beat teams in a World Championship," Mercedes explained.

The Dominicans know they will be well-served to listen to their experienced coach.

FIBA