Several players from the luxury Cuban team stood out during the Bengaluru 2023 World Volleyball Club Championship, in India.
The opposite Jesús Herrera did not exhibit his usual productivity, but he contributed to the Italian team Perugia revalidating their crown. His contribution, along with those of the Polish Kamil Seminiuk and the Ukrainian Oleh Plotnytskyi, allowed the victory over Minas from Brazil by 3-0 sets (25-13, 25-21 and 25-19).
After the three successes of its team, without losing any set, the Antillean opponent finished eleventh in attack and twelfth among the top scorers.
His compatriot Michael Sánchez was Minas’ mainstay to enter the final, thanks to two victories and a setback in the preliminary phase, the latter against Perugia precisely. “El Ruso” finished as the second best in attack and points, only surpassed by the Russian Dmitriy Muserskiy, from the Suntory Sunbirds of Japan.
Sánchez showed off his enviable sporting form, in addition to his vast experience. He practically produced more for his team in each game (20, 10, 27 and 10 points), the last two figures in the semifinal against the Japanese club and for the title against Perugia.
The Asian Sunbirds won the bronze medal by beating Turkey’s Halkband in a close match extended to tie break. For the losers, the Cuban corner player Alain Júnior de Armas stood out, just 22 years old, ultimately leader in service and third in scoring and attack.
Although Sada Cruzeiro did not advance to the semifinals and only played two matches in the competition, Miguel Ángel López finished in eighth place in attack and scoring.
Brazil’s sky blue team defeated Suntory Sunbirds in five sets, but lost against Halkbank in three sets and was unable to reach the podium once again.
