Dominican Republic Falls to Mexico in Dramatic Match
The Dominican Republic’s national basketball team suffered a defeat this Sunday against Mexico, with a final score of 89-88. The match, full of emotion, took place at the Ricardo Gioriber Arias Volleyball Palace, as part of the second day of the First Qualifying Window for the 2027 World Cup in Qatar.
The game was decided in the final seconds, when Moisés Andriassi, from Mexico, made two crucial free throws that secured the victory for the Aztecs, frustrating the Dominicans’ hopes of closing the qualifying window with a win in front of their fans.
With this result, both the Dominican Republic and Mexico end this phase with a 1-1 record.
In the previous match, played in Zacatecas, the Dominicans achieved a 92-85 victory over Mexico, which had generated high expectations for the home game.
After this first stage, the Dominican Republic and Mexico share second position in Group A, placing below the United States, which leads undefeated. Nicaragua is in last position with a 0-2 record. This group is part of the 16 teams from the Americas competing for one of the seven available spots for the 2027 Qatar World Cup.Featured Performances
By Mexico, Yahir Bonilla stood out with 20 points and 10 rebounds, achieving a double-double. Pako Cruz contributed 19 units, Gabriel Girón 15, Joseph Ávila 14 and Moisés Andriassi closed with 10, including the two decisive free throws.
In the Dominican offensive, Andrés Feliz was the most outstanding player with 22 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Chris Duarte added 18 points, Joel Soriano 12 points and eight rebounds, Richard Bautista 11 and Ángel Núñez 10.Party Development
Dominican Republic dominated the first half with a score of 54-47, thanks to a three-pointer by Andrés Feliz at the end of the second quarter. The home team prevailed in the first two quarters with results of 28-24 and 26-23, reaching a lead of 13 points (37-24) in the second quarter.
However, Mexico reacted in the third period with a resounding 20-9, which changed the course of the game in their favor with a score of 67-63, forcing the Dominicans to fight in the final stretch.Starting Five
Dominican Republic: Jean Montero, Andrés Feliz, Chris Duarte, Joel Soriano, and Ángel Núñez.Mexico: Fabián Jaimes, Paul Stoll, Pako Cruz, Gabriel Girón, and Joseph Ávila.Road to the World Cup
The Dominican Republic seeks to secure its fifth participation in a World Cup and the fourth in a row, after its participations in 1978, 2014, 2019 and 2023.
The next challenge for the Dominican selection in this qualifying process will be on Friday, July 3, 2026, when they face the United States at the Palacio de los Deportes Virgilio Travieso Soto, in the third qualifying window.
