Puerto Rico complete best performance in WGP pool stage

Puerto Rico completed its best performance in pools stage in the history of the World Grand Prix, beating Cuba 3-0 (25-20, 25-17, 25 -17) in the last match at the Guillermo Angulo Coliseum to finish in second place in Pool K.

Key Points

•     Puerto Rico and Cuba have played each other once in the World Grand Prix. In the 2012 Preliminary Round, Cuba won in straight sets.

•     Recently in 2012, these teams met in the Olympic Qualification Tournament. In the semifinal, Cuba beat Puerto Rico (3-1).

•     Puerto Rico's best result in the World Grand Prix is a tenth place in their debut year in 2009. Cuba's best results were in 1993 en 2000, when they won the World Grand Prix.

Two Puerto Rican players scored in double figures, Karina Ocasio with 18 points, Alexandra Oquendo with 11. Young Cuban phenom Melissa Vargas led her team with 12 points.

Puerto Rico opened the match with complete offensive and defensive control that gave them the quick lead 5-0. Cuba tried to put pressure on their offense led by Melissa Vargas, but the hosts had better control to clinch the first set.

The Puerto Rican game totally dominated to the other two sets, as the squad presented great concentration the entire match.

Puerto Rico and Cuba travel to Trujillo, Peru to face Peru and Poland in Pool M on the second week of the World Grand Prix.