Cuban National team Falls short in FIBA World Cup qualifier
Despite a promising start, the Cuban national basketball team suffered a narrow 65-62 defeat against Puerto Rico in their second encounter during the FIBA world Cup qualifying window. The game, held at the Ciudad Deportiva Coliseum, saw Cuba struggle to maintain their early momentum.
The opening quarter saw Cuba take a slight lead, 14-12, overcoming a shaky beginning marked by missed opportunities and turnovers. Their defense held strong, and they displayed improved shot selection, leading to a dominant second quarter performance. At halftime, Cuba held a 36-31 advantage, raising hopes for a victory.
However, the tide turned dramatically in the third quarter. Puerto Rico capitalized on Cuban errors, quickly erasing the lead and surging ahead 47-52. The final minutes were a tense back-and-forth affair, marred by missed shots and poor ball handling from both sides. Ultimately, Cuba’s inability to convert free throws (a dismal 41.2% success rate) and a high turnover count (21) proved costly, sealing their fate at 62-65.
Cuban head coach Eduardo Moya expressed disappointment at the team’s winless performance in the qualifying window, acknowledging the letdown for their dedicated fans. however, he highlighted the positive contributions of young players like Marcos Chacón and Sigfredo Casero, who recently joined the team and made significant scoring impacts.
coaching through the Heartbreak: An Interview with Eduardo Moya
Cuba’s loss to puerto Rico in FIBA World Cup qualifying was a heartbreaker. We’re joined today by Coach Eduardo Moya to unpack the game and discuss the road ahead for the Cuban national team. Welcome, Coach Moya!
eduardo Moya: Thank you for having me. Obviously, this wasn’t the result we were hoping for.Our players put in tremendous effort, but we came up short.
Let’s rewind to the start. Cuba looked strong initially,leading through the first half. What was working well for the team then?
Eduardo Moya: Our defense was solid, and we were making smarter decisions on offense. The guys were feeding off the energy of the crowd, and they were hitting their shots with confidence.
Then the tide turned in the third quarter. What happened?
Eduardo Moya: Puerto Rico came out aggressive, applying full-court pressure and forcing turnovers. We allowed them to dictate the tempo and got away from our game plan. Those costly turnovers, ultimately, were our undoing.
Missed free throws also played a significant role. Was that down to pressure, fatigue, or something else?
Eduardo Moya: A combination of factors, I think. Free throws become more crucial in close games, and the pressure certainly mounts.
we need to work on our mental toughness and composure down the stretch.
the young players, Marcos Chacón and Sigfredo Casero, showed promise. How encouraging is their contribution?
Eduardo Moya: Extremely encouraging. They’re showing real potential and injecting energy into the team. With experience, they’ll become crucial players for us.
For Cuban fans who are disappointed, what message do you have for them?
Eduardo Moya: I understand their frustration. We share their disappointment. However, I ask them to continue supporting these players. This is a young team with a shining future.
We’ll learn from our mistakes, work harder, and come back stronger in the next window.
Coach Moya, thank you for your time and honesty.
Readers, what are your thoughts on cuba’s performance? Share your insights and opinions in the comments below! Do you think Young players like Chacón and Casero are the future of Cuban basketball? What steps shoudl the team take to improve their free throw percentage? Let’s keep the conversation going!
