The Dominican Republic and Croatia kicked off their campaigns at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Piraeus, Greece with impressive victories.
Late run puts Dominican Republic past Egypt
The Dominican Republic overcame a slow start to defeat Egypt 90-77, powered by the standout performance of 20-year-old Jean Montero.
Montero’s entry into the game in the first quarter shifted the momentum, leading to a dominant second quarter where the Dominicans outscored Egypt 27-9.
Despite struggling from beyond the arc early on, the Dominicans capitalized on offensive rebounds to secure a commanding lead.
Andres Feliz and Chris Duarte contributed significantly, while Egypt’s Ahmed Metwaly top-scored with 24 points.
Croatia dominates Luka Doncic’s Slovenia
In another Group A matchup, Croatia showcased their offensive prowess with a 108-92 victory over Slovenia.
Led by Dario Saric’s triple-double, Croatia capitalized on an efficient shooting performance to secure the win.
Saric and Ivica Zubac dominated inside, complemented by Goran Filipovic’s sharpshooting from beyond the arc.
Slovenia, despite Luka Doncic’s efforts, struggled with their three-point shooting, missing all nine attempts.
Croatia’s balanced offense and solid defense set the tone for their decisive victory.
Today’s games
Today, Croatia faces New Zealand, aiming to maintain their momentum, while the Dominican Republic takes on hosts Greece in what promises to be a thrilling matchup.