TTO beats Cuba in major surprise at Barranquilla CACG

BARRANQUILLA, Colombia, July 24,  2018.- Trinidad y Tobago surprised scoring a major victory over Cuba 3-0 (25-19, 25-16, 25-22) in a classification match for fifth place at the women’s volleyball tournament of the 2018 Barranquilla XXIII Central American and Caribbean Games at Humberto Perea Colliseum.

It’s a victory for the history books as it’s the first time ever that Trinidad and Tobago beats Cuba in any category. Everything worked out for Trinidad and Tobago; they executed every skill with authority. On the other hand, Cuba had no physical or mental reaction from Trinidad and Tobago’s dominant presence.

On the last day of competition, Trinidad and Tobago will contest Venezuela for fifth place and Cuba meets Costa Rica for seventh.

Trinidad and Tobago subdued Cuba with 11-7 margin in blocks and 7-1 in aces. Cuba did better in attacks 35-32. Trinidad and Tobago committed fewer errors 14-25.

Middle blocker Sinead Jack led Trinidad and Tobago with 14 points, 6 on blocks, followed by wing spiker Channon Thompson who scored 13 points, on 9 kills and 4 aces, and opposite Esdelle Krystle with 12 points. Cuban Regla Garcia scored a match-high of 19 points, on 18 kills and one ace.

Captain Renele Forde of Trinidad and Tobago spoke excited “today is a big day in history for our team. We blocked well, served well, defended well. We took the loss against Mexico really hard because we expected to win, we fought hard. Today we came out to try and stay together and try to get the win. I am so proud of my team that was able to go from yesterday’s experience and use it today as a new day and just come out to fight. This is the best position for our team at Central American and Caribbean Games, tomorrow will we continue to try and make history together”.

Cuban Francisco Cruz coach of Trinidad and Tobago said to be happy “just imagine what we could do if only we practiced frequently and with discipline. I use magic with this team, we don’t have a place to practice, and today my team did magic. Yesterday we had a serious conversation about the second set barrier and when this tournament is over I will apologize to them; we spoke of three possible scenarios: start well and finish badly (I don’t like it), start bad and finish well (I prefer this one) or the third, as I begin I finish. Today everyone did well, but I don’t have bench players and there are several injuries, I don’t know if we’ll repeat tomorrow”.

Wilfredo Robinson head coach of Cuba indicated his team has had a difficult competition “as responsible of their preparation, I wasn’t expecting this to happen to me, you may lose in the way, players might suffer injuries, but no this way. My team has lost to opponents that we usually beat, it’s the first time losing to Mexico, Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago. Many things have surprised us; I can’t say what’s going on with my team. Our preparation was good”.