Cuba displayed its brilliant form to beat South Korea, 25-21, 25-19, 25-22, last night in the Manila leg of the 1999 World Grand Prix Women's Volleyball Championship at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
In the second match, Brazil scored its fourth straight victory in the series by beating Italy, 25-22, 27-29, 25-23, 25-18. It was the second win by the Brazilians over the Italians.
Brazil, with its victories over Italy, the Netherlands and China, now has eight points in the series.
Lefthanded Leila Barros, veteran of two world championships, Ana Moser and Virna Dias led the Brazilian offense in the third and fourth sets.
Earlier, the Cubans banked on the powerful attacks of Yumilka Luaces Ruiz, Taismary Aguero, Ana Valle Fernandez and team captain Regla Mckenzie Bell. The Cubans doused cold water on every Korean rally to avenge their loss in Genting, Malaysia last week.
Speaking through an interpreter, Cuban coach Antonio Perdomo is happy that his team is getting better after every game.
"The Koreans received well when we played them in Malaysia. But now, the tables were turned and we saw our team play better. Tomorrow, we promise to play a lot better," said Perdomo.
"We have improved our playing style but I think that we still need precision especially in our defense," added Perdomo, whose wards lost to the Koreans, 20-25, 16-25, 25-15, 25-20, 13-15, in their previous meeting.
Korean coach Kim Cheol-Yong said his team lost because they made a lot of mistakes.
"We committed a lot of mistakes and this is the reason
why we lost this match," said Kim. "The Cuban attackers played very well."
Text adapted from Manila Bulletin, August 21, 1999