Unbeaten Cuba conquers China's volleyball team

JAKARTA (JP): World champion Cuba lived up to its famed prowess by beating arch rival China in the second leg of Women's World Volleyball Grand Prix yesterday.

Seasoned Luis Mireya displayed her jumping smashes to orchestrate the Cuban charge against struggling China, which stole a set before giving up 10-15, 10-15, 15-12, 9-15.

Earlier, Russia pushed South Korea to the bottom of the group with a hard-earned 15-7, 9-15, 15-13, 17-16 win.

Cuba stretched its winning streak to 6-0 after sweeping the opening leg of the US$2 million championship in Honolulu last week. The Caribbean side looks set to regain the title at the finals in Shanghai in September.

The young Chinese, suffering their only loss here, finished second in the group and had to be content with US$30,000 in prize money. Cuba scooped the top $75,000 check.

Cuba's 3-1 victory was a repeat of the result in Honolulu, but coach Eugenio George said China was stronger. "China played an attractive game today, but we managed to maintain our top form," he said.

Soaring to two sets up, George rested Mireya and let Idalmis Gato inspire the team. China sped up the pace to leave a weakened Cuban side scrambling to the end. However, the Asian team which took the command throughout the set, needed three game points before forcing Cuba to play another set.

Mireya came back to the pitch under the cheers of 9,000 spectators at the Senayan indoor stadium when Cuba experienced trouble breaking China's solid blocking. China briefly kept its momentum to get up 8-6.

When the game stood at 9-9, Mireya, the 1993 Most Valuable Player, smashed her way to seven successive winners, sealing China's loss.

Chinese coach Lang Ping said that her players lacked experience in handling the Cubans. "We once managed to play a fast game, but we had big passing trouble," Lang, who retired from the national team in 1985, said.

In Taipei, the U.S. finished unbeaten to top the standings following its come-from-behind 10-15, 15-13, 15-10, 15-10 win over Japan. Defending champion Brazil, smarting from its upset loss to the Americans on Saturday, beat Germany 15-8, 15-10, 13- 15, 15-6 to take the second spot. (amd)