MORELOS, Mexico, August 9, 2026.- The Dominican Republic earned a 3-2 (25-20, 24-26, 15-25, 25-23, 15-9) victory over Cuba in its first Pool B match of the 2026 Men’s Pan American Cup at Polideportivo 2 de la Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos (UAEM).
The Dominican Republic took the lead by winning the first set 25-20, but Cuba responded in a much tighter second set. The teams were tied at 23 and again at 24 before the Cubans scored the final two points to level the match.
Cuba carried that momentum into the third set and dominated 25-15 to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
The Dominican Republic responded in a tightly contested fourth set. After the teams remained separated by narrow margins for much of the set, the Dominicans pulled ahead in the closing points and won 25-23 to force a fifth set.
In the tie-break, the Dominican Republic took control. The Dominicans pulled ahead 10-6 and maintained the pressure to close out the set 15-9 and complete the victory.
Cuba posted better numbers in attacks, leading 64-51, and in blocks, 13-5, but its 43 unforced errors proved decisive compared to only 21 by the Dominican Republic. Both teams scored five aces.
Henry Tapia led the Dominican Republic with 15 points, Alexis Cruz contributed 14, while Luther Rosario and Moisés Ortiz finished with 10 points each.
Four Cuban players scored in double figures. Daniel Martínez led all scorers with 27 points, followed by Yusniel González with 17, Víctor Andreu with 13 and Ronaldo Flaquet with 10.
On the second day of competition, the Dominican Republic will have a rest day, while Cuba will face Curaçao.
Henry Tapia, captain of the Dominican Republic: “We started very well. I think we could have won it in three sets, but difficulties with our serving, a lack of confidence and how we managed the game were things that took us to five sets. We could have played better. We hope to keep advancing all the way to the final.”
Bryan Camino, captain of Cuba: “We made too many errors of our own, in serving and in transition. Our reception wasn’t very good. The Dominican Republic had more energy than we did. We became overconfident, and I think that cost us the match. It’s only the first day.”
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