Despite a narrow 3-2 defeat to Cuba, the recently-strength-recovered Chinese women's volleyball team claimed ultimate victory at a four-nation tournament on Sunday in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province.

Cuba, who also had two wins and a loss, was placed in the second spot due to a defeat to Holland - a team who had suffered a rout to China.

China managed a flying start, and after finishing the first two games with double 25-20, they assured local supporters that they were about to win the trophy with a faultless record.

However, the diligent Cubans, the former world number one women volleyball squad, showed their great potential, echoing the fabulous comeback achieved by China in the Athens Olympics final - where the Chinese rallied from 2-0 down to a 3-2 victory.

The two sides traded scores in the third game. A successful block and a smash put Cuba into a 20-18 lead, before the team hit back with an identical 25-20.

China failed to get back on track and botched a 4-2 lead before the score was leveled 8-8 in the fourth. Riding a wave of emotion, the invigorated Cubans overtook their Chinese hosts to win the game and bring the match to a decider.

The battered Chinese seemed having lost morale and patience in the tie-breaker, conceding their lead to the rivals for the rest of the game before a 15-11 loss.

(CRI.cn May 28, 2007)