Cuba overpowers Japan in four sets as Grand Prix final round begins

(BEIJING, July 10) -- Cuba came back from a first set loss to beat Japan 19-25, 25-23, 25-18, 25-19 on the first day of the FIVB Grand Prix final round in Yokohama, Japan, on Wednesday.

The home team began the match confidently, taking the first set with the help of an early 5-0 run, and leading 14-9 in the second set before attack errors ceded momentum to the Cubans. After leveling the score at 17, Cuba took control of the match, winning the second set and then overpowering Japan in the third and fourth.

"Today's game was good for both teams. Cuba won the game, but Japan competed well right to the end," said Cuban captain Yumilka Ruiz after the match. "I am happy to win against such a high-level team as Japan."

Cuba is a ten-time champion at the World Grand Prix and had a 6-3 record in the preliminary rounds, finishing in fifth place. The Cubans' next match is against China on Thursday, while Japan will face the USA.