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BAYAMON, Puerto Rico, October 16, 2009 – Cuba
defeated Canada in straight sets 25-22, 25-16,
25-21 and will play on Saturday for the title of
the NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship and
the ticket to the FIVB World Grand Champions
Cup.
The Cubans, winners of the competition 13 times,
relied on their powerful serves led by Fernando
Hernandez, who came from the bench to record
three aces. Cuba had a 7-2 advantage in serving
aces and both teams scored with 8 blocks.
Yoandy Leal and Wilfredo Leon paced Cuba with 15
and 14 points respectively. Osmany Camejo
contributed 8 points and Michael Sanchez and
Roberlandy Simon each had 7 tallies. Joel
Schmuland led Canada with 11 points and Stephen
Gotch added 8.
“It was not one of our best matches,” said
Simon, the captain of Cuba. “Our reception was
not good but our serves earned the victory for
us. We executed in the key moments but we need
to improve if we want to win tomorrow’s match.”
“We played at times at the same level with Cuba
but didn’t have the consistency,” said Gotch,
the captain of Canada. “Our reception wasn’t
good but also they served very well and put us
in problems.”
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