Cuba wins gold medal in men's volleyball in San Salvador 2023

HAVANA, Cuba, Jul 3 (ACN) The Cuban men's team won the undefeated title of the volleyball tournament of the XXIV Central American and Caribbean Games of San Salvador 2023, by sweeping 3-0 over the Dominican Republic, at the Carlos El Famoso Sports Palace in the Salvadoran capital.

The disciples of Nicolas Vives once again imposed their superiority, although at times they seemed trusting or unfocused against a rival that could not avoid a second setback, this time with scores of 25-17, 25-17 and 25-22, and could not take advantage of the 24 points that the champions gave up due to their own mistakes.

Vives opened with Miguel Angel Lopez, Jesus Herrera, Jose Israel Masso, Javier Concepcion, Marlon Yant, passer Liban Taboada and Yonder Garcia, as libero.

Cuba was better in attack, 33 points to 27, blocking (9-3) and serving (11-2), while the Dominicans committed fewer errors of their own (22-24).

The top scorers of the match were Concepcion, who accumulated 12 points, four in attack, four in blocking and four in service, and Lopez (12/10-0-2).

For Cuba, Masso (11/5-4-2) and Herrera (11/10-0-1) were also outstanding, while for the Dominican Republic, Hector Alexis Cruz (10/9-0-1) stood out, all with double digits.

The Cubans finished as leaders in group A, with victories of 3-0, 3-1 and 3-1 against Suriname, Dominican Republic and Mexico, respectively, a result that guaranteed them to advance directly to the semifinals, stage in which they defeated Guatemala, which competes in San Salvador under the flag of Centro Caribe Sport, 3-0.

The bronze medal went to Puerto Rico, and Cuba's Yonder Garcia was MVP of the games' volleyball.Cuba deserved another three of the 12 individual awards, as Jose Masso was the best in blocking, Liban Taboada, in passing, and Javier Concepcion, in serving.