Cuban men sweep Puerto Rican rivals in Olympic qualifying match – Volleyball news
Men’s National Volleyball Team of Cuba proved its supremacy on volleyball court on Monday when it defeated Puerto Rico in straight sets.
Cuba and Puerto Rico staged a close fight in the opening match of 2012 NOCECA Men’s Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament. Cubans posted 25-20, 25-18, 25-18 in three consecutive sets and bagged 3-0 victory. The Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California
hosted the match.
The duo of Wilfredo Leon and Rolando Cepeda played an instrumental role in Cuba’s victory. They contributed 13 points apiece, while Fernando Hernandez notched up 12 points for Cuba. Juan Figueroa was the top scorer in Puerto Rico’s team with a total of 11
points.
On the whole, Cuba demonstrated consistent performance and bagged victory. They added 14 team blocks, while Puerto Rico got only 4 blocks. Moreover, Cuban players committed very few mistakes and saved crucial points.
Cuba served with Ramos Hernandez to open the match, who got bigger runner up and supplied plenty of power to hit the ball. Puerto Rico’s Gregory put up a great effort to tackle the speed bombs from Cuba hitters. However, Cuban score kept soaring up. Puerto
Rico attacked with Figueroa but faced resistance form Cuban blockers. First set continued for solid 22 minutes and eventually ended in Cuba’s favour at 25-20.
Success in the opening frame enabled Cuba to take a better position in the match. They continued with hard-hitting in the second set and did not waste any chance to score points. Puerto Rico competed well but trailed behind. Another set slipped from their
hands as Cuban hotshots proved to be better in attack and claimed 25-18 win.
Cuba was in full control of the game in third set. With two sets in hand, Cuba players cruised past to 25-18 in third set. Puerto Rico failed to claim any of the sets and dropped the decision.
“We have a young team and at the beginning of the tournament they are a little nervous. Puerto Rico is missing some very important players. I think both teams could have played better tonight,” said Cuban Coach Orlando Samuels Blackwood after the match.
Puerto Rican Victor Rivera commented, “For us, it’s been a few rough months since we lost our starting opposite, our starting setter and I was injured just before we left. I thought we played the first 10 points well. Cuba is a very young team. We are older.
They have a lot of energy.”
The 2012 NORCECA Men’s Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament started off on Tuesday with eight teams and only one of them will earn the Olympic Ticket and will get the chance to represent NORCECA at the upcoming Olympic Games in London.
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