Cuba wins men’s crown in Colorado Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS, USA, August 24, 2019 – It was early in the day, but Cuba’s men’s team won the NORCECA Champions Cup on Saturday with a 30-28, 25-17, 25-22 win over Puerto Rico at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center.

Cuba finished the tournament 3-0. Puerto Rico finished 0-3.

Cuba’s serving was especially tough and it led Puerto Rico in aces (10-5). Cuba’s Jesus Herrera had four aces and Robertlandy Simon finished with three.

Cuba also led Puerto Rico in kills (44-36) and blocks (7-2).

Cuba had four players score in double figures, led by Yohan Leon with 14 points. Simon and Osniel Mergarejo each had 12.

Pedro Molina led Puerto Rico with 14 points on 10 kills, one block and three aces.

Cuba coach Nicolas Vives: “It was a very good game. Puerto Rico played an excellent game and we played also very well. The most important thing was the victory. That’s the reason we came to the competition. The win. It was very important.”

Puerto Rico captain Pelegrin Vargas: “I think we did a pretty good job considering we’re young. There’s no way we can be content … but it’s a good step to work on and build on. We’ll keep on working. We got some good guys. Pedro and Gab played pretty well today. We need to build on it, and I’m looking forward to the events that we have. Some of us are playing in the NCAA. We saw the things we have to work on, and we’ll just keep working hard. “

Puerto Rico coach Oswald Antonetti: “We played better and better. This team is talented. We brought some younger guys and they really fought. I thought we could have extended the match a little bit against Cuba. Cuba has a lot of ‘names’ and it’s tough. It’s intimidating for our young guys. They competed with great energy and I’m really proud.”