Canada defeated Cuba in four sets

 

CAGUAS, Puerto Rico, January 7, 2008.- Dallas Soonias scored 28 points and Fred Winters added 20 leading Canada to a 25-23, 19-25, 26-24, 25-20 victory over Cuba in the NORCECA Men’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament. The Canadians are one win away of winning Pool ?

 

Murray Grapentine contributed 10 points for the Cannucks. Raydel Corrales, Rolando Jurquin and Roberlandy Simon had 19, 14 and 13 points respectively for Cuba.

 

“We beat Cuba, one of the top teams in the world and feel very happy,” said Glenn Hoag, the Canadian coach. “I think this win can help us to grow and to get better. Now we have to focus in the game against Mexico and hopefully win our pool and advance directly to the semi finals.”

 

Canada won a well fought first set by twice erasing four-point deficits. Fred Winters’ spike broke a 22-all tie and he finished the set with a bomb.

 

Cuba dominated the second set leading at the pauses 8-5 and 16-10. The spikes of Henry Bell proved to be a key for the Cuban success.

 

Paul Duerden came off the bench at the end of the third set and was instrumental in the Canadian win. He blocked Henry Bell’s killing attempt for a tie at 24 and followed with an ace for set-point before a block by Steve Brinkman against Bell gave his side the set.

 

Winters led an inspired Canadian side to the victory in the match with an overall performance in the fourth set.