Baseball

He is back to the managerial position with the Granma's Los Alazanes. The experienced manager believes the performance of his players is very positive. Indeed, the team achieved the first goal of the season: to qualify for the post season in the Cuban national series.

Now it comes the toughest time of the season. The post season requires extra efforts for players and technical staff. Not to mention that any of the teams involved in the post season is strong enough to win the championship, Marti pointed out.

Marti praised Los Alazanes' offensive this season. Several players have performed outstandingly in the home run and RBIs categories. Likewise, he acknowledged Granma's main weakness is its pitching staff.

Granma's offensive average is 301, the best of the season. The team has hit 89 homers with 514 RBIs, figures that have contributed to the success of the team.

Carlos Marti confirmed Granma's main weapon just before the post season, offensively speaking, is the power of its hitters. However, it does not mean tactical plays will not be put into action depending on the different game situations.

With only three games left, Matanzas (53-31), Granma (51-33), and Ciego de Avila (49-35) secured their tickets to the playoffs. The 4th place will be earned by Industriales or Isla de la Juventud, both with identical 46-38.

Pinar del Rio (45-39) has also some options. But Marti thinks Industriales will grab the last spot to the post season having into account its traditions and the home field advantage over La Isla Piratas.

After sweeping Industriales this weekend, Granma will visit last place Holguin. Los Alazanes will try to end the regular season with an excellent result.

Cuban baseball post season will kick off on March 24th. The first 2 teams in the standing will play the first game as the home teams.

Fencing

The Russian Dmitry Rigin won for the second consecutive year the men's foil event of the Villa de La Habana Grand Prix, based at PABEXPO fairgrounds, in this city.

Rigin, 30 and who currently appears 9th in the world ranking, defeated (15-12) in the final American Alexan Massialas.

The bronze medals went to the Italian Daniele Garozzo and the also American Race Imboden-champion of the edition of 2013.

Stefano Cerioni, former athlete from Italy who acts as coach of Russia's foil team, told ACN that the triumph of his pupil was based on the concentration and mental strength he showed throughout the competition.

Cuba failed to include any of its representatives in the group of 64, on a very high level tournament that featured several top foil fencers of the world.

The event was attended by 150 contestants from 30 countries including the leader of the world ranking, Russian Alexey Cheremisiniov, bronze medalist last year, who now finished 17th.