Cuba Wins Battle with Barbados

TULSA, USA (July 15, 2014) – Barbados showed it can play with the top teams of the tournament, but Cuba came away with the 25-13, 25-21, 25-17 Pool B victory on Tuesday at the NORCECA Boys’ U19 Continental Championship at the Cox Business Center Arena.

Cuba (2-0) will conclude pool play on Wednesday against Mexico (1-0) at 4 p.m. CT. Barbados (0-2) will look for its first victory against Guatemala (0-1) at 2 p.m.

Barbados’ passing was improved on Tuesday and the team looked more comfortable running its plays.

“We worked on our passing,” Barbados Team Captain Andriy Stapleton said. “We came into the game and used what we learned in training. The passes were a lot better. Once the passing got going the sets got going and we got some kills. It did feel good.”

Cuba was focused on Wednesday’s match against Mexico.

“Tomorrow’s match against Mexico is very important,” Cuba Coach Roberto Garcia Garci said. “Mexico is a strong team because they are good mentally and have good preparation.”

On Tuesday, Cuba led in kills (38-28), blocks (8-6) and aces (4-2). It also took advantage of 25 Barbados errors while committing only 15.

Stapleton led all scorers with 17 points on a match-high 13 kills, two blocks and a match-high two aces. However he didn’t get much help as Barbados’ next two leading scorers, Carlos Cyrus and Ahkeem Mayers each scored five points.

Cuba was paced by Miguel Gutierrez and Ismel Pelayo, who each scored 11 points. Each player scored on 10 attacks. Pelayo added and ace while Gutierrez had a block.

Quotes

Cuba Captain Daikel Fernandez:  “We didn’t start the match with much excitement or enthusiasm. It doesn’t matter what team we play, we should start really tough. It doesn’t matter the level. We did not play our best today.”

Barbados Captain Andriy Stapleton: “We worked on our passing. We came into the game and used what we learned in training. The passes were a lot better. Once the passing got going the sets got going and we got some kills. It did feel good. It was a great experience for us. We can only get better.”

Cuba Coach Roberto Garcia Garci: “Tomorrow’s match against Mexico is very important. Mexico is a strong team because they are good mentally and have good preparation. Congratulations to Barbados. They had good individual performances.”

Barbados Coach John Stuart: “We passed the ball a lot better. When you pass the ball a lot better, good things will happen. I think we are still capable of playing a bit better. I hope next game we can play even better so we can come away with a win.”