SPORTS DRAFTING.- The Dominican basketball team will have two important commitments against the selected Virgin Islands and Cuba during the celebration of the third and last window of the FIBA AmeriCup 2022 Qualifiers, from February 18 to 22.
The Quisqueyanos’ matches in this window will be on February 19-20, against the Virgin Islands at 2:00 in the afternoon and against Cuba at 2:30 in the afternoon respectively, at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in Puerto Rico, headquarters chosen by the FIBA Americas Regional Office to host group C, which also includes Canada.
The Dominican Republic leads that group with a 3-1 record, with wins in their last three presentations, the Cubans and the Virgin Islands are 1-2, and the Canadians 1-1, who were absent in the bubble held at Hard Rock Punta Cana, in La Altagracia Province.
Likewise, the Puerto Rican facility will host a total of eight teams with Group D matches made up of the United States (4-0), Mexico (2-2), Bahamas and Puerto Rico registering 1-3.
Rafael Uribe, president of the Dominican Basketball Federation (Fedombal), reported that the commitments against the Virgin Islands and Cuba are of the utmost importance for the tricolor team in order to obtain a place at the AmeriCup to be held next year, the venue still without define by FIBA in the Americas.
Uribe confirmed that coach Melvyn López will continue to lead the national squad and a group of 16 players was summoned for its structuring and training that will begin in the Dominican Republic on February 13-14 and will conclude in Puerto Rico, prior to holding third window.
He said that the first practice of the Dominicans in Borinquen will be on Monday, February 15, at 3:00 in the afternoon.
The federated leader stressed that the event will take place in a bubble format to protect the health and safety of all participants.
He stressed that the most important criteria to be applied will be health and travel guarantees, with compliance with FIBA health protocols, including tests and controlled entry to a safe environment.
“The players will be subjected to tests to detect Covid-19 before leaving the place where they are and will be presented upon arrival on Puerto Rican soil in the migration check so that they are allowed to enter the country, and later for their integration. to the bubble of the Roberto Clemente Coliseum ”, indicated Uribe.