From Prensa Latino

Cuban fans celebrate today (19) the victory of Villa Clara in the national baseball championship, becoming the first team that  will represent this island in the Caribbean series,after 43 years of absence.

Of course, the biggest joy is appreciated in the central Cuban province that gives its name to the champion, known as the orange team.

The team mentor, Ramón Moré, attributed here to the tenacity overall success in 52 Cuban Baseball Championship.

Patience and perseverance were the premises of our work throughout the year, and today we can say that the skeptics were wrong to dismiss the whole of Villa Clara as a candidate for the National Series crown, told reporters Moré on Friday.

After 18 years of waiting, the Orangemen won their fifth national title by beating the fifth game of the final to 8-5 Matanzas at Augusto Cesar Sandino Stadium this city, about 285 kilometers east of Havana.

Moré called great satisfaction for campus success, after going through very difficult moments throughout the tournament, receiving harsh criticism at the prospect of not qualifying for the second round, and then the playoffs.

He also had special words of thanks to his family and also close friends who always relied on the computer.

In particular, he dedicated the title to Fernando Gonzalez, Rene Gonzalez, Gerardo Hernandez, Ramon Labañino and Antonio Guerrero, the five Cubans convicted in the U.S. for fighting terrorism, and the village of Villa Clara waited for so long after the conquest over the crown.

Meanwhile, a man considered one of the best receivers in the history of Cuban baseball, Ariel Pestano admitted he knew how to respond to their status clutch hitter in the national classics.

Decisive Pestano homered with the bases loaded in the sixth inning to give 7-2 lead to Villa Clara.

The star player, 39 and World Baseball Classic runner, said that for next season will leave the baseball field, but will conclude his brilliant career with the joy of knowing Cuba monarch again.

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