Cuba won the bronze medal

 

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, June 8, 2007.- Cuba won the bronze medal at the Men’s Volleyball Pan American Cup by defeating Canada in four sets (25-21, 25-27, 25-21, 25-19) on Friday.

 

As the third place team of this competition, Cuba qualified along with Puerto Rico and Mexico to the 2008 Americas Cup in Brazil.

 

Yadier Sanchez, the Cuban Captain, was the top scorer of the match with 24 points, Raidel Gonzalez added 16, including eight blocks, and Raidel Delgado had 14. Mark Dodds led Canada with 22 and Kris Brand and Brock Davidiux recorded 14 and 10 respectively.

 

“I think Canada was the best team of this competition in terms of technical level but they lacked the physical preparation,” said Juan Gala, the Cuban coach. “We studied them very well and came prepared to win by own merit, and not by invitation, our spot in the Americas Cup”

 

“We wanted to win badly and our team competed, but Cuba was the better team today,” said Chris Green, the Canadian coach. “We need to work in some areas and we plan to start doing it starting next Monday.”