Puerto Rico wins another five-setter over Cuba

LOGGANNG, China, May 22, 2013 – Puerto Rico defeated Cuba in five sets (16-25, 25-21, 23-25, 26-24, 15-10) to open the second phase of the China International Women’s Volleyball Tournament at Shenzhen University Gymnasium before some 4,000 spectators on Wednesday.

In the nightcap, hosts and undefeated China kept their spotless record with a straight-set victory (25-17, 25-20, 25-23) over Thailand.

On Thursday, Cuba meets Thailand while Puerto Rico takes on China.

It was the second five-set victory of Puerto Rico against their NORCECA rivals as they also went to the limit to prevail during the first phase at Ningbo.

Puerto Rico’s Karina Ocasio-Malpica finished with 32 points while Yarimar Rosa contributed 10. Diana Reyes had seven blocks among her 14 points and Genesis Collazo contributed 10 tallies.

Cuba’s Yoana Palacio and Rosana Giel each had 18 points in the losing cause while Ana Cleger and Rojas charted 16 and 12 respectively.

“It is always good to win this kind of games,” Puerto Rico’s Rafael Olazagasti said. “We reduced the mistakes in our reception and that’s good, but we need to keep working.”

“We failed at the crucial moments,” Cuba’s Juan Carlos Gala said. “But this is a young group and they have to learn from their mistakes.”