Cubans have the greatest prospects for Cuba. Photo: Norceca.

The Cuban duos of Jorge Luis Alayo and Noslen Díaz, and Amanda Armenteros and Jennifer Rivera, advanced on Wednesday to the quarterfinals of the Norceca pre-world tournament, an event that offers four places per sex for this year's world event.

Based in the sands of Punta Cana, between the men Diaz and Alayo reached the stage of sudden death after accumulating two wins and a setback to finish second in group A, only behind the United States, undefeated in its three outings.

The Cubans opened with a 2-0 win over Dominicans Martinez and De Jesus, with easy slates of 21-15 and 21-11. Then they repeated the dose before the representatives of the Cayman Islands, Jesario and Watson, after getting comfortable scores of 21-4 and 21-6.

However, the best Antillean duo then yielded in two partial against the Americans Benesh and Partain, equally favorites to win one of the World Cup spots. With the pass to the quarters already assured for both pairs, the duel ended with very close 21-19 and 26-24 in favor of the northerners.

After these results the Creoles will clash in the quarterfinals against the duo of Bucklin and Cronshaw, representatives of the Virgin Islands. Those rivals dominated Group C undefeated without losing a set, so they will not be easy prey for ours in their eagerness to get a World Cup ticket that will ensure the winner of the duel.

The West Indians will have a difficult challenge. Photo: Norceca.

Meanwhile, among the ladies the Cubans Amanda Armenteros and Jennifer Rivera also closed the group stage with two successes and a setback, although they will have to improve a lot for the next round.

In their first match of the day ours lost 2-0 against the Americans Kolinske and Harward, with discreet double slate of 21-10. They then defeated Guatemala's Girón and Guerra 21-18 and 23-21, and Salvador's Soler and Molina 21-13 and 21-19 to keep their hopes of advancing in the tournament alive.

For this they will have to beat in the quarterfinals the Puerto Ricans Navas and González, leaders of section C with three wins in a row.