The Cuban team received a hard blow after four of its players could not travel to the United States to compete in the qualifying tournament for the Copa América 2025, but the final blow came with the recent escape of Sergio Machado from Villa Clara, who left the delegation with only seven players.
The Villaclareño Sergio Machado Center 🇨🇺 left the hotel where Team Cuba 🇨🇺 is concentrated in Orlando 🇺🇸 early today.
With the departure of the former member of the Lobos de Villa Clara, Cuba 🇨🇺 is left with 7 men!!️ to face the USA
📸: Machado No.28 pic.twitter.com/JWuDLIYgI1
— Henry Morales (@henrysoyyo95) February 22, 2024
This numerical disadvantage proved to be too much for the Cuban athletes, who ended up losing to the US team in the last game held on February 22, falling 100 to 79.
The result was evident since it was announced that the Island was going to participate with only five men on the court and two on the bench for changes. Despite this, Jasiel Rivero managed to shine, scoring 16 points, four rebounds, five assists and two blocks, while Reynaldo García stood out as the top scorer with 19 points.
And these two players are the ones who play in foreign clubs, something that makes evident the difference in talents between the Cuban delegation and those from other countries. García plays for Saga Ballooners, in Japan, while Rivero has played some seasons in the Endesa League with the Spanish club Valencia Basket Club.
Despite these talents, having the entire official roster allowed for the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) qualifying tournament, which is 12 men, gave the United States the advantage, while Cuba only has seven left, this as long as no other player decides to leave the team.
The absence of five of its members has considerably reduced the Cuban team’s chances of success, limiting its options during the game.
The situation is not new, since escapes during foreign events have been perpetrated for years, although the number in recent times has increased significantly due to the economic crisis that is plaguing the country, which brings with it deficiencies when it comes to training.
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