Cuba remains NORCECA’s champion in five sets

MAYAGÜEZ, Puerto Rico, September 3, 2011. - Cuba defeated United States 3-2 (25-23, 29-27, 25-27, 19-25, 15-8) claiming the gold to remain champion of the Men’s NORCECA Continental Championship and booked ticket to the FIVB World Cup.

The match began with slow rhythm as both teams were highly concentrated and weren’t going to take any chances. United States had the advantage in blocks 11-10 and both teams had equal number of aces 6-6. This is Cuba´s fifteenth title in the 22 editions of the competition.

Wilfredo Leon led Cuba with 31 points; Fernando Hernandez added 17, Henry Bell 12 and Isbel Mesa 10. For the Americans, Methew Anderson was the best scorer with 18 points; Clayton Stanley contributed with 16 and David Lee with 13.

“It was a strong match and also a very tense one, being a young team it feels wonderful to win” said Wilfredo Leon.

“Cuba had a much better performance overall, we lost composure in the first set and we weren’t able to focus on the next play, even though we came from behind, Cuba’s pressure in the serves dominated us.”

Orlando Samuels, Cuban coach expressed “I am very happy that we could put a great spectacle for the fans and much more with a young team that is playing for the first time together, hopefully we can classify to the Olympic Games from the World Cup”.

“Cuba was much better and we have learned very valuable lessons during the whole championship, we engaged in some difficulties specially in the first set and I’m glad we could force it to a fifth one” said Alan Knipe.