The Cuban men’s volleyball team reached this Saturday his second victory in the Challenger Final Four of the Confederation of North America, Central America and the Caribbean (Norceca), by defeating his similar from Mexico in three sets and thus securing the ticket to the World Challenger.
The Antillean team did not give their rivals a chance, overcoming them without complications in straight sets with scores of 25-15, 25-21 and 25-17. In this way, he added 10 units, unattainable for the rest of the teams in the tournament, and won the title in the event that takes place in the 19 de Noviembre room, in Pinar del Río.
The scepter, which is already held by the Cuban team, regardless of what happens today in their match against Puerto Rico, guarantees the Caribbean team a place in the world qualifying tournament for the League of Nations, which will take place in July in South Korea. .
If the Cubans lose to the Puerto Ricans, they would be at 10 points with two successes and one setback, but neither Mexico nor the Dominican Republic, which have three units —thanks to a 3-2 win and a 0-3 loss— and face this Sunday between them, they could already reach those of Cuba and snatch the crown, in accordance with the website Hit.
As for the match against the Mexicans, the students of coach Nicolás Vives were dominant and confirmed their pre-competition favoritism. Opposite player Miguel David Gutiérrez and assistant hitter Marlon Yant stood out for the winners, with 15 and 14 points respectively, while Miguel Ángel López contributed nine, and central defenders Alonso and Concepción six each.
For Mexico, the top scorer was Diego González, with nine points.
The Cuban coach moved the bench again and gave entry in the third set to Osniel Mergarejo for López, Michael Sánchez for Gutiérrez and Lyván Taboada for passer Adrián Goide.
Regarding his strategy, Vives explained to Hit that Mexico demanded “a higher level” than the Dominican Republic, a team that Cuba had already defeated on Friday. “I still require setter Adrián Goide to work more with the fundamental spikers and introduce Yant for communication with the passer. That’s why I kept the first four players on the court, ”he detailed.
Regarding the Mexican cuador, he pointed out that “he has always been an opponent that you have to play against and the games are very good, they know how to play and they are a good team.”
For his part, the Aztec coach, Jorge Miguel Azair, praised Cuba’s current level and stated that he “forced a lot” on his team, which could not play fast.
“There were moments when we did it, we served aggressively and complicated the rivals, but the Cuban power dominated us, it is the truth; his service and his attack are very powerful. This is learning, as they say you win by losing, they have to learn to discipline themselves tactically”, he pointed out.
The Mexicans will go today to beat the Dominican and thus ensure the silver medal of the tournament.
