Press release
Cuba edge China to continue winning five-setters
Cuba's team has played three matches of five-sets in four outings
Bahia Blanca, Argentina, August 24, 2011 – Lazaro Fundora and Yordan Bisset combined for 45 points as Cuba won its third consecutive five-setter this time downing China 25-18, 20-25, 25-14, 23-25, 17-15 in the first match of Pool E in the 2011 FIVB Boy’s Youth World Championship on Wednesday evening.
Fundora registered 24 points, all but three in attacks, while Bisset totaled 21, including four serving aces. The winners also had the offensive contributions from Nelson Loyola and Danger Quintana with 12 apiece. China’s Zhimin Leng finished with 17 points and Kunyu Du added 14. Other Chinese in double figures were Zhejia Zhang and Zhen Qin each with 12 and Chao Tang who charted 10.
In the well balanced match, Cuba held the lead in blocks 12-11 and in aces 10-8.
Cuba had a fast start in the first set leading 8-4 and 16-8 at the technical time outs carried by the powerful offense of Yordan Bisset and Lazaro Fundora. The Chinese game was erratic for most part of the opening frame and they were soon out of the picture. The set finished 25-18 when China netted a serve attempt.
China recovered in the second set with a 5-0 rally to start. When the first technical time out arrived, the Asian team was in front 8-2. The spikes of Leng and Du proved to be the big difference as they were ahead 16-12 at the second TTO. Cuba reacted with some good offense of Loyola and Osoria but it was too late and the set closed 25-20 after a Cuban mistake.
It was a start to finish for Cuba in the third set when the Caribbean side improved their defense at the net scoring with five blocks including three by captain Lamadrid. Fundora continued to land accurate spikes. The Cubans led 8-4 and 16-9 and kept the same pace until the end with Quintana closing the frame 25-14 with a mighty spike.
It was a close affair in the fourth set won by China to force a tie-breaker. The Asian team was in front by slight margin at both technical pauses 8-7 and 16-14. The trio of Tang, Leng and Du led China in eclipsing the eight points, all in attacks, by Cuba’s Fundora. China prevailed 25-23.
Fundora stayed hot during the tie-breaker leading Cuba to an 8-4 advantage when teams traded sides. However, China came back to tie the score at 10-all behind two splendid blocks by Qin. Cuba saw a 13-10 lead to be erased and the sides tied again at 14-all. Finally the NORCECA team claimed the set and the victory 17-15 with Fundora accounting for five points.
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