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DETROIT, USA, May 21, 2015 - Canada once again claimed victory
over Cuba, this time at the NORCECA Men’s Champions Cup in
Detroit, Michigan.
Canada won 3-0 (25-22, 25-18, 25-17), after two similar wins
this past weekend in the opening matches of FIVB World League.
The competition in Detroit includes United States, ranked No. 1
in NORCECA, Cuba (No. 2), Canada (No. 3) and Mexico (No. 4) in
competition today (May 21), Friday (May 22) and Saturday (May
23) at Joe Louis Arena.
This is the third time that Canada and Cuba have faced each
other in less than a week. Again opposite Gavin Schmitt led the
scoring for Canada with 15 points. Justin Duff had 12, and came
up with some big blocks for the Canucks while Toonthe Van
Lankvelt added 11 points.
Rolando Cepeda was the only Cuban with double digits with a
match-high 24 points.
“I felt really free this game, and I knew that I had a lot of
options and I could really act strongly,” said Duff, a middle
blocker. “We have a lot of competition ahead of us, gearing up
for the Pan Am Games, which is really important. We want to
establish ourselves as a top team in the world and we’re getting
there. We are going to be prepared and well rested for the match
against Mexico.”
The top two finishers in Detroit will qualify for the FIVB World
Cup on Sept. 8 to 23 in Japan. The top two World Cup finishers
qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
“We’re excited, and really happy to get a 3-0 win again over
Cuba. It’s big for us to have that because they’re in our
division and we’re going to have to play them when it comes to
Olympic berths,” said Gord Perrin, who contributed 10 points for
Canada. “Tomorrow, we just have to play our game – if we play
strong Canadian volleyball we’re going to win.” |
