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MEXICO CITY, Mexico, May 23, 2016. – Cuba downed Canada in five
thrilling sets 20-25, 25-17, 25-21, 23-25, 15-13 to win Pool B
at the XI Men’s Pan American Cup in Olympic Gymnasium Juan de la
Barrera in Mexico City.
Cuba and Canada spiked hard in a tough battle that lasted a
little over two hours. Cuba won the fifth set via a failed serve
by Canada. Cuba wins Pool B with 2-0 record and eight points and
Canada finishes second with 1-1 record and seven points.
Cuba held a 12-9 advantage in blocking and scored on 48 errors
by Canada, who topped in kills (49-46) and aces (7-2). Cuba
committed 36 unforced errors.
Opposite Dariel Albo led Cuba’s scorers with 16 points, 15 on
kills and 1 block, middle blocker Luis Sosa also scored 16
points, on 10 kills and 6 blocks; Abrahan Alfonso and Osniel
Melgarejo contributed with 11 points apiece. On the Canadian
side, opposite Bradley Gunter scored 21 points on a match-high
on 16 kills and 5 aces, outside hitter Stephen Maar added 16
points, on 15 kills and 1 ace, and middle blocker Braden Mclean
scored 10 points.
Both teams wait for the results between Argentina and Mexico to
complete the preliminary round and find out their respective
opponents.
Cuba’s captain Ricardo Calvo said “we were prepared physically
and mentally as we expected a tough match. I feel we were too
pressured in the first set, but we sorted things out and thereon
things went better, both teams played hard”.
Captain Brett Walsh of Canada said “we are both very physical
teams, with high spikes and high jumps, we played heart-full
volleyball; it’s a blessing to be part of a competition like
this. Either one could have won”.
Legendary Rodolfo Sánchez indicated “for us it’s very important
that these young players have more opportunities to compete,
they have their flaws because they are unexperienced and playing
is the only way we can make adjustments. We are glad with the
result and how they played today”.
Georges Laplante of Canada said “this is our second match of the
summer, so the result is good, we haven’t been playing together
and being at this level is very positive. We had a strike of bad
serving; it’s something we need to fix to be more efficient and
consistent”. |
