Picture: Internet

Cuba finished fifth in the North, Central American and Caribbean (NORCECA) qualifying tournament for the Volleyball Olympic Final Four, after beating hosts at the Bicentennial Auditorium in Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico, where the United States kept the title.

Thus, the unbeaten U.S. players led the quartet that secured a ticket for the January event, followed by the Dominican Republic, Canada and Puerto Rico, teams that will try to get the first place with which tickets for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro 2016 are obtained, ACN reported on October 3.

Teams occupying positions from second to fourth of the coming tournament will have another chance in the repechage events for the Rio meeting, according to the contest’s Web site.

Cuba’s triumph on Friday vs. locals was 3-1, after one hour and 29 minutes, in which host Andrea Rangel, top scorer of the match with 18 points, excelled.

The United States and Puerto Rico won the gold and bronze medals, beating Dominican Republic 3-1 and Canada 3-1, respectively.

Sixth through eighth places were for Mexico, Costa Rica and Trinidad and Tobago, defeated by Costa Ricans 3-0.