TIJUANA, Baja California, May 31, 2008.- Defending champions Cuba suffered its second consecutive loss in Pool B of the Pan American Cup this time to the hands of Puerto Rico who improved to a 2-0 record. The match played before 1,500 spectators finished 20-25, 25-16, 25-16, 25-16.

The Puerto Ricans enjoyed another masterful offensive night from Karina Ocasio, with the support of Aury Cruz, who provided key points in attack and clutch defense.

Ocasio led Puerto Rico with 26 points and Sarai Alvarez added 11. For Cuba Yusleini Herrera had 15 tallies and Yohana Palacios 13.

Cuba took advantage of many Puerto Rican mistakes to take control of the first set. The Cubans benefited from 12 errors of Puerto Rico combined with clutch blocking of Giselle Silva and Ana Gleber.

Everything changed in the following sets when the Cubans suffered from a very erratic game, like in their first match, while the Puerto Ricans only made eight errors the rest of the way.

Ocasio and Cruz made feel their presence the rest of the match. Cuba never quit but only had the offense of Captain Yusleini Herrera. The game control of Puerto Rico proved to be too much for the Cubans.

“We started very anxious but finally corrected our mistakes,” said Puerto Rican Vilmarie Mojica. “It is a very important victory against Cuba, no matter which team, who is always a complicated opponent.”

“We still have hope and desire to be in the finals,” said Felipe Calderon, the Cuban coach. “We will try to modify some things for our match of tomorrow.”