Radio Havana Cuba | Cuban basketball loses the hegemony of more than four decades in Barranquilla-2018

Barranquilla, Colombia, July 25 (RHC) In a dramatic final decided in overtime, the Cuban women's basketball team fell to Colombia 65-67 and saw truncated hegemony four decades of regional nominations.

The favorite Cuban team was looking for its eleventh crown in a row, since it did not lose in those Panama-70 games, not counting the San Salvador-2002 editions and Mayaguez-2010, in which Cuba did not attend the games.

But on Tuesday before a deafening public that filled the Coliseum Elias Chegwin, Alberto Zabala's students were not very good in offensive efficiency and missed a few key moments of the game. 19659004] The Colombians, in They played their best game, showing fast combinations under the boards, guided by the fast setter Maira Caicedo, author of several baskets in crucial moments.

Cuba went at half-time with seven points in advance (30-27), but the Colombians reacted in second and the scoreboard equaled 55 in overtime, which forced the five additional minutes.

Given the pressure imposed by a delusional hobby, both teams made several mistakes, but the two took the victory by two points, to avenge the setback suffered by the island in the qualifying phase .

"It's a defeat that hurts us, we came for gold, but Colombia was a worthy rival and we had no efficiency in attack", lamented coach Zabala, while center Marlene Cepeda attributed low offensive efficiency to the team's anxiety.

Yaneth Arias, with 16 points, and Caicedo, 13, proved the offensive leaders the coffeemakers, while the experienced Suchitel Avila stood out for Cuban women at 22.

"We were very focused We have never lost hope, we have had character, perseverance and we have responded to this public that has never stopped supporting us, "said Caicedo

for Colombia, it was his first regional crown and his second bronze medal in Cartagena-2006.
It's also one of the most appreciated by his fans, especially because of the dramatic charge he's had and because it's been directed against the most demanding team. dominant in the history of games, the Cuban quintet always preferred.