Cuban water polo teams secure first wins at Santo Domingo Games

The Cuban water polo teams delivered early successes for their delegation at the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo. Both the women's and men's squads achieved their initial victories against Guatemala, though the matches revealed important tactical insights due to unexpected opponent resilience.

The women's team balanced their tournament record at 1-1 with a 19-14 win. They started strong with a 7-1 first-quarter lead but experienced a lapse in concentration, allowing Guatemala to equalize in the second quarter and expose defensive weaknesses. Cuba demonstrated strong shooting efficiency (57% from open play) and power-play success (67%), while Guatemala capitalized on penalties. The team now faces Venezuela in a crucial match for semifinal advancement.

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The women's team balanced their tournament record at 1-1 with a 19-14 win.

In the men's competition, the team also secured its first win, defeating Guatemala 23-13. Despite a strong start and a 6-3 first-quarter lead, the team faltered in the second quarter with numerous errors and poor shooting, allowing Guatemala to take a surprising 9-8 halftime lead. Coach Mario Andrés Bermúdez Ariosa implemented a drastic tactical shift at halftime, emphasizing direct play, high pressure, and fast transitions, which resulted in a dominant 15-4 second-half performance. Pedro Ponsa and Remmy de Armas were key offensive players, scoring 9 of the team's 23 goals.

The men's team now faces a significantly tougher opponent in Mexico, the bronze medalists from San Salvador-2023. As the region's reigning silver medalists, Cuba seeks a victory to bolster their podium aspirations.

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The men's team also summed up its first success of the regional event, although it had to overcome a worrying performance dip in the middle of the match before crushing Guatemala with a definitive 23-13.