Cuba's Javier Jimenez contributed 12 points in the victory of Cuba over Dominican Republic on Friday at Ciudad Deportiva Coliseum in Havana
Havana, Cuba, May 24, 2014 – Cuba defeated Dominican Republic in four sets (25-14, 20-25, 25-17, 25-14) of an anticipated battle at the NORCECA Men’s World Championship Qualification Tournament Pool P on Friday, the penultimate day of actions.
While many expected a sudden death duel, the home team put a lot of pressure in the first and third sets against a dangerous rival to secure the victory in a match where the visitors used their back up players in the fourth set as both teams will meet on Saturday in the decisive contest for the ticket to Poland.
Four Cuban players scored in double digits led by Rolando Cepeda with 16 points, followed by Javier Jimenez and David Fiel with 12 apiece and Osmany Uriarte who contributed 11. For the Dominican side, star players Jose Cáceres and Elvis Contreras finished with 19 and 12 points, respectively.
“It was a tough match because they (Dominican Republic) are an experienced team with outstanding players like Caceres and Contreras,”Cuba’s coach Rodolfo Sánchez said.
“We made many errors in the serves and attack,” Dominican Republic’s coach José Álvarez Cutiño said. “The crucial match is tomorrow and I hope they go out to battle for the victory.”
In the other match of Friday, Barbados claimed its first victory by defeating Suriname in three sets (25-22, 25-18, 25-16).
The winners were more effectives with their serves and attacks with the veteran player Shawn Simpson leading the offense with 12 points, which keep him among the top scorers of the event. Kyle Browne added nine points, in the victory.
Zenafio Breinburg topped Suriname with 11 points and Keven Sporkslede contributed eight.