Republica Dominicana clinched a pivotal victory on Friday night by defeating Canada 74-65, coming closer to securing a spot at the FIBA AmeriCup 2025. The ecstatic crowd at the Ricardo Gioriber Arias Pavilion in Santo Domingo propelled the home team as they took control at the start of the second half. Under the direction of coach Néstor García, the Dominican side began the third quarter with a 10-2 run, extending their lead to 13 points.
Dominicana maintained the double-digit advantage for most of the second half, only to see Canada mount a late comeback in the fourth quarter, narrowing the deficit to eight points. Nonetheless, the Caribbean team responded with their own 7-0 run to seal the victory, with Jassel Pérez delivering the lethal blow via a three-pointer with 3:24 left on the clock, bringing the score to 71-56.
Andrés Feliz led the Dominican charge with 18 points on 8-of-18 shooting, supported by David Jones who contributed 13 points, four rebounds, and four assists. Pérez chipped in 10 points with two of five from three-point range. Meanwhile, Jean Montero provided the most creative basket of the night. On the Canadian side, Mfiondu Kabengele and Trae Bell-Haynes added solid performances with 12 points each, and Thomas Kennedy scored 10 points off the bench.
The Dominicans dictated the game for 38:02 out of 40 minutes, showcasing their nearly flawless execution. They converted 18 of Canada’s turnovers for 21 points and dominated the paint with a 52-40 advantage. Their effective transition play, with a 23-8 edge, allowed them to score easy baskets even on a night where they struggled with three-pointers, making only four of 21 attempts. Their defense also kept Canada to 40.6% shooting from the field, marking the first loss of the tournament for the Canadian squad.
With this victory, the Dominican Republic, now at 3-2, could secure their place at this year’s AmeriCup if Nicaragua defeats Mexico on Friday night. The Dominican performance not only showcased their capabilities but also highlighted the atmosphere created by their fan support.
The match unfolded at the National Volleyball Palace, filled to capacity with notable figures from Dominican sports and politics attending, including NBA player Chris Duarte and former national player Jaime Peterson. The emotional energy from the public was undoubtedly a driving force behind the local team's motivation, adding to their confidence.
Now, the Dominican squad prepares for their final qualifying window match against Nicaragua, which will define their future campaign. With this momentum and faith in their gameplay, the Dominican team appears to be a serious contender for the AmeriCup.