The sporting rivalry between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic is a Caribbean classic, marked by decades of passion and competition. Although they share cultural roots and an evident brotherhood, their clashes in baseball and basketball are events of great intensity.
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Baseball: The King of Rivalry
Baseball is the field where this rivalry reaches its peak. Both nations are world powers in the production of talent for Major League Baseball, which guarantees high-quality and exciting games. The clashes in the Caribbean Series and the World Baseball Classic have left unforgettable moments. An example of this was the final of the 2013 World Baseball Classic, where the Dominican Republic was crowned undefeated champion against Puerto Rico, a historic milestone. Even exhibition games generate great expectation, such as the “RD vs PR ShowDown” at Citi Field in New York in 2025, which attracted more than 20,000 fans.Basketball: Intensity in Every Match
In basketball, the story is just as vibrant. The teams of both countries have faced each other in multiple FIBA, AmeriCup, Centrobasket, and World Cup qualifying tournaments. Each game is played with the intensity of a final, regardless of the context.Brothers on the Court
Despite the rivalry, there is a deep mutual respect between both nations. Athletes, singers, and personalities from both islands have highlighted that this competition strengthens Caribbean brotherhood and elevates the sporting level. Historical ties, from the Taíno connection to migratory exchanges, add to the national pride that each team brings to the playing field.Historical Matchups – Basketball
- 1995: Centrobasket – Semifinal, PR 86 – RD 83.
- 1999: Tournament of the Americas, PR 86 – RD 82.
- 2003: Centrobasket – Semifinal, RD 79 – PR 75.
- 2005: FIBA Americas, RD 72 – PR 65.
- 2012: Centrobasket – Final, PR 80 – RD 72.
- 2018: FIBA Qualifiers, RD 78 – PR 62 / PR 88 – RD 81.
- 2021: Pre-Olympic, PR 102 – RD 89.
- 2023: World Cup Qualifiers, RD 88 – PR 79 / PR 69 – RD 68.
Featured Matchups – Baseball
World Baseball Classic (2006–2017)
- 2006: First round, PR 7 – RD 1.
- 2013: First round, RD 4 – PR 2.
- 2013: Second round, RD 2 – PR 0.
- 2013: Final, RD 3 – PR 0.
- 2017: Second round, PR 3 – RD 1.
Other Matchups – Baseball
- 2025: “RD vs PR ShowDown” – Citi Field, NYC, RD 6 – PR 2.
