GILAS Pilipinas has its work cut out for it right in its 2023 Fiba Basketball World Cup debut against Dominican Republic on August 25 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
The last time they met in July 2021, the Dominicana frustrated Gilas, 94-67, in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade.
Now ranked 23rd in the world, the Dominicana further underlined their stature when they stunned Argentina, 79-75, on the road in their last game in the qualifiers in February that left the 2019 runner-up out of the World Cup for the first time in four decades or since 1982.
Dominican Republic has yet to announce its official World Cup roster, but it could feature two current NBA players in the fold if they commit to the world showpiece.
Coached by Argentinian Nestor Garcia, Dominican Republic tries to improve on its 16th-place finish in the 2019 edition in China.
Check out who the Dominican Republic starters in 2023 Fiba World Cup could be:
PG – Andres Feliz
Feliz is one of Dominican Republic’s mainstays, being one of only two players to suit up in all 12 games in the qualifiers.
A 6-foot playmaker for Spanish league side Club Joventut Badalona, Feliz averaged 9.1 points, 1.6 triples on 57.4-percent shooting overall, 3.4 rebounds, three assists, and 0.8 steal in 22.5 minutes in the qualifiers.
Feliz, who turns 26 on July 15, is not the only one who can give Gilas a headache. Also in the point-guard rotation is Gelvis Solano, who proved to be a thorn in the side of the Pinoy dribblers in their 2021 face-off when he fired 21 points.
C – Eloy Vargas
The Dominicana took a blow when Al Horford stopped short of saying he was begging off the World Cup.
But the country’s frontcourt still has a veteran in the 33-year-old Vargas.
The 6-foot-11 stalwart, who plays for Uruguayan league side Club Atletico Aguada, averaged 8.7 points on 46.7% shooting, 5.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.9 block in 22.1 minutes.
Vargas also played in all 12 qualifying games.
SG – Victor Liz
Liz is one of the Dominicana’s youngest players, but he already has the biggest responsibility as their captain.
Turning only 21 on September 12, just days after the World Cup, Liz presided over his country’s blowout win over Gilas in 2021 when he scored a team-high 23 points.
The 6-foot-3 wingman who plays for Puerto Rican league side Capitanes de Arecibo continued to live up to his billing by leading the country in scoring in the qualifiers with 15.7 points behind 1.5 triples, on top of four rebounds, 2.1 assists, and two steals in 26 minutes over 10 games.
SF – Chris Duarte

Duarte could try to use this World Cup to rejuvenate his NBA career.
After all, following a solid freshman season that saw him become part of the All-Rookie Team, the 6-foot-6 wingman went on a sophomore slump, putting up just 7.9 points on 36.9% shooting, 2.5 boards, 1.4 assists, and 0.5 steal in 19.5 minutes over 46 games for the Indiana Pacers.
Recently traded to the Sacramento Kings for two future second-round picks, the 26-year-old Duarte looks to find refuge on the national team if he makes a commitment.
Duarte made a cameo in the qualifiers, appearing in two games and averaging 15.5 points, including six free-throw conversions, 2.5 boards, 2.5 assists, and 2.5 steals in 31.5 minutes.
PF – Karl-Anthony Towns

KAT last played for his country a decade ago in the 2013 Fiba AmeriCup, but the Minnesota Timberwolves star has signified his desire to suit up in this World Cup.
If he does, expect the 6-foot-11 stretch big man to be the focal point of the Dominicana’s offense.
Despite sharing the frontcourt spotlight with new teammate Rudy Gobert, the 27-year-old Towns still shone with 20.8 points, 2.1 triples on 49.5% shooting overall, 8.1 rebounds, a career-high 4.8 assists, 0.7 steal, and 0.6 block in 33 minutes over 29 games last NBA season.
KAT has a solid backup in Angel Delgado, who led the Dominicana in rebounds with 11.1 a game in the qualifiers.
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