By REYNALD MAGALLON
Andres Feliz caught fire from deep as Dominican Republic pulled off an upset win over Italy, 87-82, to move on cusp of advancing to the second round of the 2023 FIBA World Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, Aug. 27.
The No. 23 Dominicans pounced on the first half ejection of Italy coach Gianmarco Pozzecco and built a double-digit margin in the third quarter behind Feliz and NBA All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns.
Towns was solid in his second game in the World Cup with 24 points, 11 rebounds and five assists but it was Feliz who emerged as the biggest thorn to the sides of 10th ranked in the world, Azzurri.
Feliz was on target from three-point territory with eight connections to finish with 24 points.
Italy was actually off to a hot start in the contest, racing to an early 12-0 advantage. The Dominicans, however, got their acts together and took advantage of their size inside the paint to regain footing.
It also didn’t help the cause for Italy that Pozzecco was thrown out with 2:20 left in the second half after getting his second technical due to excessive complaining.
Italy still threatened the Dominican Republic late in the final frame, cutting a once 17-point deficit to just five, 85-80. That, however, was the closest Italians could get as the Dominican Republic was once again steady from the charity stripe.
With the win, Dominican Republic is on pace to top the Group A standings and can formally book their second round tickets should Gilas Pilipinas win against Angola later in the day.
