Cuba qualify in second place in Pool B

TIJUANA and MEXICALI, Mexico, July 1, 2013 – Cuba qualified in second place of Pool Bwith a victory over Chile while United States had to settle for a fourth place in  Pool D despite prevailing against Korea in five sets at the FIVB Boys’ U19 World Championship on Monday.

In the round of sixteen on Wednesday, Cuba face Belgium (third place in Pool A) while United States meet Russia, the Pool C winner with a perfect record. Both NORCECA teams finished their preliminary phase with a 2-2 win-loss record.

Mexico, fourth place finisher in Pool A with a 1-3 record, play against Argentina, winner of Pool B.

Tuesday is a traveling day with teams from Pool C moving from Tijuana to Mexicali and those of Pool B going from Mexicali to Tijuana.

Cuba d Chile 3-1 (25-21, 25-20, 17-25, 25-16)

Cuba booked their second victory and clinched a berth in the second round in defeating Chile 3-1 (25-21, 25-20, 17-25, 25-16).

Despite a merely difficult third set, Cuba had a solid blocking performance with 16 points against 9 by Chile, whose captain DusanBonacic was the leading scorer of the match, with 27 points, while Rafael Albornoz scored 10 for the South American squad.

However, Cuba solved the match in 1 hour and 38 minutes. Luis Jimeno finished with 24 points for Cuba, while OsmaniUriarte scored 19. 

United States d Korea 3-2 (22-25, 25-20, 25-21, 15-25, 17-15)

The blocking game of the American squad and physical battle on the net marked the difference.

The United States defeated Korea in a five sets match (22-25, 25-20, 25-21, 15-25, 17-15). Despite the loss Korea maintained second place while USA finished fourth in Pool D.

Korean captain Dong-GeunJeong was the match top scorer with a total of 26 points.

Matthew Walsh, Jr. led USA with 21 points and Connor Lammey closed with 15, while Harriman Colby and Christopher Nugent scored 13 apiece.