Radio Cadena Agramonte emisiora de Camagüey
Havana, February 26.- The Cuban men's basketball team achieved a historic 81-67 victory today against its counterpart from the United States, in the second leg of the qualifying tournament of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), for the AmeriCup 2025 that will be hosted by Managua, Nicaragua.
Since the 1971 Cali Pan American Games, a Cuban team could not beat an American team, an event in which they won 73-69, in what was until this Sunday the only victory for the Island's representatives with 22 losses.
With a good turnout at the Ciudad Deportiva coliseum in this capital, the home team had a great first half that they dominated with a score of 41-32, supported by excellent defense and quick offensive transitions.
The locals won the initial period by a large 26-10, in which the collective game worked almost perfectly, especially due to their defensive intensity and effectiveness in shooting at the rim; while the visitors were superior 22-15 in the second quarter.
After the break, the hosts were once again better on the court with a score of 31-20 in the third quarter, so they arrived with a 20-point advantage (72-52) in the last segment, which made it very difficult for the opponents team to come back.
To the joy of the enthusiastic fans gathered in the Ciudad Deportiva coliseum, the success was achieved with Pedro Bombino standing out, who scored 19 points, with seven two-point baskets and five free throws.
Along with that outstanding performance by Bombino, others with good offensive contributions were Marcos Chacón and Jasiel Rivero, both with 11 goals.
Rivero himself once again demonstrated his leadership in the national team, capturing nine rebounds and distributing three assists, in a match in which all Cuban players were able to score.
On the North American side, Raiquan Gray (17) and Jahmius Ramsey (14) led the attack, although this time they barely managed to make a triple in 16 attempts, for a poor 6.25 percent.
In the case of the winners, among the things that could be highlighted we must mention the excellent effectiveness from the free throw line, with 88 percent (22/25) and only three errors.
With today's result, Cuba achieved its first victory in that qualifying tournament and took revenge for what happened this Thursday when they fell with a score of 79-100 as a visitor against the Americans on the court of the Silver Spur Arena, located in Condado from Osceola, Florida. (ACN) (Photo: JIT)
