Highlights: Canada secures top-two spot with win over Dominican Republic
Jay Triano head coach (middle) and David Vanterpool (left) assistant of the Canadian National team. Both are assistants under Terry Stotts in Portland. (photo: José Jiménez Tirado/FIBA Americas)
The Canadian National Team locked up a top-two spot in the semifinals of the 2015 FIBA Americas in Mexico City with a 120-103 win over the Domincan Republic.
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Canada must await the result of Argentina and Mexico to know whether they will finish in first place or second place. But they have secured that they will not face Argentina in the semis. Canada will play Mexico if Argentina wins and will play fourth place Venezuela, if Argentina falls to the hosts. The losers of the semifinals will have a chance to make the Olympics through the FIBA Olympic Qualifier next summer.
Cory Joseph scored 17 points on 8-12 shooting as well as dishing out seven assists. The Canadians have rolled through their opponents, winning six games in a row, since losing the opener to Argentina. Canada has continued to elevate their level of play and took care of a team playing for something. The loss eliminated the Dominican Republic from the semis.
Kelly Olynyk had 13 points and nine rebounds. Nik Stauskas and Anthony Bennett each had 14 points for Canada.
Angel Suero came off the bench for D.R. to lead the team with 19 points. NBA veteran Francisco Garcia registered a DNP.
Canada’s path to the Olympics looks secure. All that’s left is the only game that’s mattered to them all along.
The semifinals will be played on Friday night. Canada will play at 4 PM or 6:30. The time has yet to be determined by FIBA.
Erik Gundersen
Erik Gundersen is the Trail Blazers beat reporter for The Columbian. He's a graduate of the Allen School of Journalism and Communication at the University of Oregon in addition earning a degree in Spanish. He's covered the NBA for four seasons. You can also occasionally find his work on ESPN.com's NBA section for their TrueCities series. He also fist-bumped with Kanye West once. Follow @BlazerBanter on twitter for more Blazers and NBA news.