USA escapes Cuba, completes Pool D sweep ahead of FIVB Worlds Round of 16

The United States squeaked past Cuba, 25-17, 25-22, 23-25, 27-25, to complete a sweep of its Pool D games at the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

With the win, Team USA finished the group stage with a 3-0 record and advanced to the Round of 16, which begins Saturday.

After dropping the third set, the Americans found themselves in a tight battle in the fourth, as they looked to close out the match while Cuba aimed to force a fifth set.

Cuba led 23-19 late in the fourth, but the United States responded with a 4-0 run to tie the set. Robertlandy Simon Aties briefly restored the Cuban lead, but a kill from Cooper Robinson and a Cuban error gave the USA the edge once again.

Javier Octavio Concepcion Rojas tied the set at 25 with a block, but Jordan Ewert and Robinson stepped up in the clutch to close out the match.

Robinson led the Americans with 14 points on 13 attacks, as the team opted to rest several of its regular starters. Gabriel Garcia and Ewert added 12 points apiece.

On the other side, Jose Israel Masso Alvarez paced Cuba with 12 points. The loss dropped the Lions to a 1-2 record, eliminating them from the tournament.

Earlier in the day, Portugal came from behind to defeat Colombia, 23-25, 21-25, 25-20, 25-21, 15-11, keeping its hopes alive ahead of the USA-Cuba clash.

With the USA win, Portugal also secured a spot in the Round of 16, finishing the pool phase with a 2-1 record. Colombia ended its campaign winless at 0-3.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News