Karl-Anthony Towns proud as Dominicans exceed expectations with Group A sweep

Only a few expected the Dominican Republic to make an impressive run in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

But three games into the global cagefest, the world no. 23 nation proved why they could be one of the title contenders in the tournament as they swept Group A with a 3-0 slate, beating host Philippines, fancied Italy, and gutsy Angola to book a ticket to the second round.

Karl-Anthony Towns, who returned to the national team after a 10-year absence, dedicated the latest win against the Angolans to his countrymen.

"Good win for the country. Dominican Republic will be really happy with the players we got out there and we'll make them proud. I feel the love and support," Towns said on the heels of a 75-67 win on Tuesday.

"Just super excited to get the dub, super excited that we get to make the country proud. I know a lot of people didn't expect us to do this but we expected ourselves to do our best so I'm very happy that we got to show the world what we've been working on."

Towns himself, though, had a tough night as he was reduced to a bench player after sitting out most of the first half due to picking up three fouls with still six minutes to go in the opening frame.

He was able to manage his four fouls in the fourth period, finishing with eight points, two rebounds, and one assist in 15 minutes of play.

Despite a foul troubled night, Towns said it allowed him to assess himself, especially on the mental aspect of the game.

"I just kept telling myself that this is a great game to work on your mental and your focus. I had a lot of adversity thrown at me and I just wanted to work on myself," the Minnesota Timberwolves big man added.

"This is a great time to work on yourself. [I] kept my cool, [I] kept my composure, and I knew my moment will come where I will get a shot and be the player I'm supposed to be."

The loss by Angola also gave Gilas Pilipinas an opening to advance to the second round.

Read more | FIBA World Cup Preview: A Serbian correspondent breaks down Gilas Pilipinas vs Italy

The Philippines, however, will need to hurdle a favored Italy team  by double-digits to secure its spot.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News