The Cubans allowed only two runs—one in the second inning of each set—effectively avenging their earlier loss to the same opponent during the group stage.

  Displaying near-flawless defense and avoiding unnecessary throws, the champions consistently pursued force-outs and handled rebounds off the perimeter wall with great skill.

  In the opening set, they capitalized on the third inning, using three hits and an error to score the two runs that secured the win.

  In the second set, they relied on precise hitting to rack up a decisive five runs in the first inning, followed by an impenetrable defensive performance. Cuban third baseman Jean Carlos Machado stood out at the plate, going 8-for-10.

  Cuba—which holds world titles in both the senior and youth categories for this discipline—finished the tournament with a record of five wins and one loss.

  “We are all very happy with this Olympic championship title, which included a victory in our rematch against Chinese Taipei. It took many days of training, but the group remained united throughout, and now we are reaping the rewards,” team captain Lazaro Diaz told the digital newspaper *Jit*.

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