Cuba: Viva Zabala!

It is Cuba's combative spirit that makes Alberto Zabala's side one of the most feared teams at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Madrid.

Confidence is never running short in the Cuban squad. That's obvious when captain Yaima Boulet is asked about her team's chances of playing at the Beijing Games. "We will do everything it takes to get to the Olympics," warned Boulet."It is important for our country to be in Beijing."
Cuba certainly didn't receive an easy draw for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament. While they should be able to finish with one of the top two places in a Group D which also includes Belarus and underdogs Chinese Taipei, the team from the Americas will next have to face either world number four Brazil or Spain, the tournament hosts and the side that is fifth in the FIBA rankings.

"We know games against Brazil or Spain will be difficult but we are working to achieve that victory," said Zabala. "Our chances of qualifying to Beijing are realistic."
One aspect that helps Cuba is the continuity in the team: the group is almost identical to the one that played in Chile last summer when Cuba finished runners-up to Team USA at the FIBA Americas Championship.

Zabala's players are also all based on the island of Cuba. "We have prepared a lot for the tournament and we are a privilege because we are a team that trains together 365 days," said Boulet. "We know each other well, we get on well. Perhaps what we are missing is to play more in international competitions." Speaking of international events, Boulet was in a club Habana side that took part in the FIBA Women's World League in October 2007.
Cuba should not be short on preparation by the opening tip of the FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament. They had a friendly series against Brazil in Havana and also took part in the 2008 Beijing Basketball Test Event. It was in Beijing where Zabala believed his players took a big step forward. They beat world champions Australia, South Korea and New Zealand.

The Cuban team at times showed good collective play while their most memorable 20 minutes came in their first encounter against the Australians when they battled back from a double-digit deficit in the second half to win. Zabala's team pressed full court and looked like a very strong and quick team in that triumph.

Boulet and Yakelyn Plutin are the team's first options on offence. Boulet has both power and a soft mid-range jump shot while Plutin can play in the paint but also step outside and hit three-pointers. Plutin was voted the most valuable player at last year's event in Chile after averaging 17.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. "We have been working really hard and if we play well, we can return to Beijing," said Plutin, the most senior player in the team who turns 29 in July.

Zabala did express concern about his team's free throw shooting on their recent trip to China. One player who should not trouble him in that department is Ciudad Habana forward Suchitel Avila. In addition to converting 90.9% of her free throw attempts, she also showed an ability to knock down three-pointers when burying 42.1% of her attempts at last year's event in Chile.

Offence would appear to be at the front of Zabala's thoughts before the tournament in Spain. "At last year's FIBA Americas Championship, we averaged 74 points while at the Pan American Games we averaged 68," said Zabala. "We need to increase that number to 75 because that way, we will have more options to qualify for Beijing."

How did they qualify?

2007 FIBA America Championship, Final Round
Silver Medal (3 W - 2 L)

Results

Preliminary Round
Sept-26th 2007   
USA b Cuba    85-79

Sept-27th 2007   
Cuba b Canada    75-52

Sept-28th 2007   
Cuba b Jamaica    76-62

Semi-Final
Sept-29th 2007   
Cuba b Brazil    69-67

Final
Sept-30th 2007    USA b Cuba    101-71