By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
MANILA, Philippines – The Dominican Republic went 3-0 in Group A of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, and while Karl-Anthony Towns was dominating for Nestor Garcia’s team on the glass, Andres Feliz dominated from downtown.
Averaging 17.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game, he’s shooting with 75.0% from two, 55.6% from three-point range, and 83.% at the charity stripe, the Dominican Republic’s number 10 talked following the third straight win of the group, against Angola.
“I’m a God believer, and I’m just grateful. This is something amazing, something that he’s never done in the past for my country. I’m just happy to be part of this team, we’ve been battling through a lot. Nobody believed in us coming in. This is huge. They had us finish out of the second round or second in the first group. But here we are, finishing the group as the first team and we have to be grateful and humble we’ve done that”, he first said in the mixed zone.
Then, he went on to talk about how challenging was to face the red-and-black team. “We have to get them a lot of credit. They play amazing, tough, and physical. For us, it was a challenge because from now on everything is going to be tougher, with the level of competition increasing. I’m not saying that we faced low-level teams, but from the second round the level of physicality and competition is gonna be at the top”, Joventut Badalona’s player added.
Commenting on how well they share the ball on offense, he feels grateful. “That’s us. I’m happy and humbled to be part of this team. When we are in the locker room or walking around off the court, we are just like our little kids: we play and laugh with each other all day, and that’s what helps us play so great”, he said before sending a message to his people. “It means a lot, My country means everything to me and I’m so proud to be from the Dominican Republic. Thank you for everything, and for your support. This is not done yet”, Feliz stated.
PHOTO CREDIT: 2023 FIBA World Cup
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