Cuba gets second pool-play win at NORCECA Men’s Championship

MONCTON, Canada, September 12, 2026: Cuba earned its second win in pool B of the NORCECA Men’s Championship today at the Avenir Centre in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada.

Today Cuba (2-0) powered by Guatemala 3-0 (25-13, 25-14, 25-10). Cuba dominated in all skills - attack points 43-23, blocks 11-1, and aces 6-1. Cuba also made fewer errors 12-15.

Cuba’s Osniel Mergarejo Hernandez, Marlon Yant, Daniel Martínez Campos and Alexis Wilson Velazquez all contributed eight points to Cuba’s win.

Guatemala’s Carlos López Santiago was his team’s top scorer with seven points.

This is the second tough opponent for Guatemala (0-2), having lost to USA in straight sets in their opener yesterday.

Jesús Cruz López, Cuba’s head coach, said post-match: “It’s the second match after three days without training because of travel. I saw a better performance today from our team. I liked what I saw today, and it gives us something to work with for the future matches.”

Cuban player Robertlandy Simon: “Today was better because yesterday we arrived in Canada (in time for the first match) and we played good, but today we played better than yesterday. With some time to recover, we can put on a good show for the fans here in Canada.  … Before we arrived, we had several days without training. We are feeling better and happy to get the win.”

Eight teams are in Moncton, Canada, for the 2026 NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship, where three berths to the 2027 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Cup in Poland will be at stake. The tournament will also determine the teams that advance to NORCECA’s final qualification stage (Sept. 18 and 19) for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.