The two NBAers have with them a capable team.
Karl-Anthony Towns is unquestionably the draw of the crowd for the Dominican Republic in the upcoming FIBA World Cup, but the squad is armed with talent outside of the Minnesota Timberwolves star.
Victor Liz, Eloy Vargas, and Angel Delgado—staples of the squad—are part of the final 12 members who will carry the country’s flag in the upcoming FIBA World Cup.
Liz led the team in scoring in the FIBA Americas qualifiers, norming 15.7 points while appearing in 10 out of the possible 12 games for the Dominicana.
Vargas, meanwhile, played all of the dozen qualifier matches, contributing a solid 8.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per outing.
Delgado is looking to create a formidable big man tandem with Towns after averaging a double-double of 10.9 markers and 11.2 boards during the qualifiers.
There’s also the young and promising point guard in Jean Montero. The 20-year-old is someone to watch out for after he exploded for 22 points in the upset against Argentina last February to seal their FIBA World Cup slot.
On top of all that, there’s Lester Quiñones, who wowed fans in the Bay Area and recently secured a two-way contract with the Golden State Warriors.
Mentored by the respected Che Garcia, the world no. 23 squad is not one to be pushed around. Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes and deputy Tim Cone both know that.
And after faltering in its friendly against Montenegro, which touted its own NBA-caliber big man in Nikola Vucevic, Gilas has its work cut out.
The two teams will face on the opener of the FIBA World Cup, August 25, at the Philippine Arena.