Puerto Rico sweeps Cuba for fifth place

HAVANA, Cuba, March 23, 2013 - Puerto Rico defated Cuba for the second time in the competition on Saturday to claim fifth place in the Women's U-20 Pan American Cup after victory in straight sets 26-24, 25-21, 25-23.

Although this time with more resistance from the local side the young Puerto Ricans, qualified to the world championship here, once again showed superiority in attacks (35-31) and services (8-7) while Cuba led in the blocking (10-6).

Again the captain Daly Santana (15) was the most productive of her team and the match, followed by teammate Kanisha Jimenez (12). Cubans Meliza Vargas and Dayamí Sanchez each finished with 11 points.

Carlos J. Cruz, coach of Puerto Rico, stressed on how his group showed a high level of consistency. "We would have liked a better place, but we missed the opportunity by losing closely to Peru 2-3, but I'm happy with my players, because when they aim at a target they deliver.”

Tomas Fernandez, coach of Cuba said: "The Puerto Ricans know what they do tactically and meet the guidelines of their coach. We need to educate our players to respect them and that’s the reason I decided to send the younger girls as the older ones didn’t respond as expected."