Cuba celebrates victory over Puerto Rico

Havana, September 9 (JIT) -- Cuba defeated Puerto Rico in five sets (25-23, 25-27, 25-22, 22-25, 15-13) to reaffirm its fourth place and advance to the semifinals of the II Pan American Norceca Final Six Volleyball Cup Santo Domingo 2022.

The victory qualifies as the first against the Puerto Rican teams in these competitions since the 2015 version, when the Antilleans also won in tie-break. The Puerto Ricans then took revenge in 2017, 2018 and 2021.

Cuba was superior in attack (68-58) and committed fewer unforced errors (22-24), while their rivals added more blocks (19-16) and service points (10-4).

The duel, tight from start to finish, has been the longest of the match so far with two hours and 22 minutes of good action and emotional passages.

Corner players Claudia Tarín (23 points: 20-2-1) and Ailama Cesé (22: 19-2-1) led the Cuban offense. Opposite Greisy Finé added 19 points (17-1-1), middle blocker Laura Suárez supported with 10 (6-4-0) and setter Gretell Moreno with five, four of those by "muros".

For the Puerto Ricans, opposite Genesis Collazo accumulated 23 points (19-4-0), followed by outside hitter Stephanie Enright (21) and middle blockers Paola Rojas and Diana Reyes, both with 14 points.

In another result of the day, Canada scored its first win by defeating Mexico with a score of 25-22, 25-22, 21-25 and 27-25.) Both teams concluded the preliminary phase with one win in five outings and four points. They will play this Friday for the fifth place.

Puerto Rico finished third with 3-2 and 16 units, and Cuba in fourth with 2-3 and 10 points. The Cubans will face the Dominican Republic in the semifinals.