Cuba achieved tenth women’s basketball crown

VERACRUZ, Veracruz.- Cuba got his tenth title in women’s basketball in the Central American and Caribbean Games Veracruz 2014, overcoming Puerto Rico 81-67.

Puerto Rico was presenting as defending champion, having won the last edition in Mayagüez 2010, when Cuba did not attend to revalidate the title they won in Cartagena de Indias 2006.

Cuba quickly took a 10-point advantage, however, a poor technical adjustment by cuban coach William Zuniga allowed Puerto Rico to reduce the gap to only five points at the end of the first quarter, 25-20.

Cuba, with its fast game, reached an eight-point lead and closed the first half of the match with a 39-31 lead, guided by Yamara Amargo with 11 points.

For the second half, Cuba stepped up its game with more offensive plays, but also they care of defense. Cuban players scored 22 points and Puerto Ricans only 16, to set the score 61-47.

For the last period, Puerto Rico’s coach, Gerald ‘Jerry’ Batista, changed the game plan and Puerto Ricans tightened the score, but not enough to overcome the Cuban quintet, who got the win by 81-67.

Cuba won his tenth gold medal in the women’s basketball Games, Puerto Rico got the silver and Mexico hunged the bronze.