The senior men’s national basketball team of Antigua and Barbuda, widely known as the Bulldogs, has secured their spot in the second round of the FIBA AmeriCup Qualifiers following a dominant performance in their opening group stage campaign.Competing in Group A in Guyana, the Bulldogs delivered a standout 86-57 victory against Turks and Caicos in their final group matchup on Sunday night, a win that pushed them to the top of the group standings. Across their four group-stage games, the team wrapped up the first phase of the competition with an impressive 3-1 win-loss record, outperforming other contenders to claim their progression ticket.Leaders of the country’s governing basketball body voiced widespread celebration after the landmark result. “What a moment for our country and our team. Congratulations to the Bulldogs!” stated Honorable Michael Freeland, President of the Antigua and Barbuda Basketball Association (ABBA). Freeland also extended gratitude to key stakeholders that made the team’s run possible, adding “Special thank you to the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, all of our private donors, the Executive and the planning committee who made this trip possible as well. This victory is for all of us.”ABBA General Secretary Carlena Knight-Humphreys echoed this excitement, praising the on-court effort of every member of the Bulldogs delegation. “First off, congratulations to my team, the players, coaching staff and the other officials. We did it! Thank you all for your hard work and dedication,” she said. Like Freeland, Knight-Humphreys highlighted the critical support from public and private partners back home, noting “I also must thank the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and all our private partners who ensured we got to Guyana.”The general secretary added that while the team will enjoy their group stage triumph, focus has already shifted to the upcoming second round. “What a journey it has been up to this point but while the celebrations will continue, we look ahead to the next round of games and we hope that many others will come on board and support the team for this next chapter,” she said.Antigua and Barbuda joins Barbados, which claimed progression from Group B, in the second round of qualifiers scheduled to take place between November 23 and December 1. Already confirmed participants for the second round include Nicaragua, Venezuela, Jamaica, Cuba and Costa Rica, though one South American qualifying spot still remains undecided. Officials have not yet announced which country will host the second round of matches.Following their successful campaign in Guyana, the Bulldogs team is scheduled to return home to Antigua and Barbuda on Monday.
Antigua and Barbuda Bulldogs Reach Next Stage of FIBA AmeriCup Qualifiers
