The Dominican Republic’s national basketball team secured a hard-fought victory over Canada, 74-65, in a pivotal Group C match of the Copa América qualifying window. The game, held on Friday night at the National Volleyball Palace, was the penultimate fixture in the qualifying window. This win is a significant step for the Dominican team in their quest to secure one of the 12 spots in the final tournament, which will be hosted in Nicaragua.

The Dominican Republic dominated the game, leading by as many as 15 points, particularly in the final quarter. Canada managed to close the gap to just five points with less than a minute remaining, but the Dominican team’s resilience ensured their victory.

The victory puts the merenguero team with a 3-2 brand in its fight to become one of the 12 teams that will compete in the final of the Copa América of Bolance which will be played in Nicaragua.

Andrés Féliz led the Dominican team with 18 points, while David Jones contributed 13. Jones spearheaded an impressive first-half performance for his team. For Canada, Bell-Haynes and Mfiondu Kabengele each scored 12 points, with Kabengele also grabbing 11 rebounds. Blair Henry and Thomas Kennedy added 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Canada remains the leader of Group C with a 4-1 record and will face Mexico on Monday. Meanwhile, Mexico (2-2) will take on Nicaragua (0-4) later in San Luis Potosí.

The Dominican team started the game with Andrés Féliz, LJ Figueroa, David Jones, Víctor Liz, and Ángel Delgado. Notable attendees included Chris Duarte, a player for the Indiana Pacers, and former national select Jaime Peterson. The Minister of Sports, Kelvin Cruz, Luisín Mejía, president of Centro Caribe Sports, and members of the Organizing Committee of the Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026 were also present.

The first half ended with the Dominican Republic leading 37-32. Despite a strong Canadian defense, the Dominican team managed to maintain their lead, going into halftime with a five-point advantage. The third quarter saw the Dominican team extend their lead to 45-34, thanks to effective ball pressure and strategic plays.

With less than three minutes left in the third quarter, the Dominican team extended their lead to 13 points (47-34) with a crucial pass from Andrés Féliz to Ángel Delgado. LJ Figueroa then increased the lead to 15 points with two free throws.

Canada made a late comeback, closing the gap to 11 points (56-45) with a four-point rally. Bell-Haynes reduced the lead to less than double digits (58-50) with 7:18 remaining, but the Dominican team’s intensity never wavered.

Jassel Pérez closed the game with a triple, sealing the victory and showcasing his signature bowing gesture.

Implications for the Dominican Team

The victory over Canada is a significant milestone for the Dominican Republic’s basketball team. It not only boosts their morale but also solidifies their position in the qualifying standings. With a 3-2 record, they are now in a strong position to secure one of the 12 spots in the final tournament.

This win also highlights the team’s resilience and strategic play, especially in high-pressure situations. The ability to maintain a lead and ward off a late comeback by Canada demonstrates their mental toughness and tactical prowess.

For U.S. basketball fans, this match serves as a reminder of the competitive nature of international basketball. The Dominican Republic’s performance against Canada, a team with a strong NBA presence, underscores the growing competitiveness of international basketball and the importance of strategic play and teamwork.

Looking Ahead

The Dominican Republic’s next challenge will be crucial as they continue their qualifying journey. The team will need to maintain their high level of play and strategic execution to secure their spot in the final tournament. For Canada, the loss is a setback, but their strong performance in the second half shows they are still a formidable opponent.

As the Copa América qualifying window progresses, fans can expect more intense matches and strategic plays. The Dominican Republic’s performance against Canada serves as a benchmark for what to expect in the upcoming fixtures.