WBSC Baseball5 World Cup Hong Kong 2024 - Cuba's Briandy and Gonzalez emotional after receiving MVP awards

World No. 2 Cuba walked away with the spoils at the WBSC Baseball5 World Cup Hong Kong 2024 on Saturday after beating Japan in the final and two of their star players were recognised for the major part they played in the win when they received the tournament MVP awards.

For the second time Briandy Molina was named men's MVP after the 29-year-old was in scorching form throughout the tournament, continuing to inspire and lead a side which is the pace setter for all other teams. Briandy was awarded the MVP ward at the inaugural WBSC Baseball5 World Cup in Mexico City in 2022 along with Japan's Ayako Rokkaku, who was in the opposing team on Saturday.

During the WBSC Baseball5 World Cup Hong Kong 2024, Briandy had the most number of runs (43), third best hitting average (.709), second in RBIs (29) and second in hits behind France's Omar Diodene (74) with 73.

"Receiving the MVP again wasn’t something I actively sought while playing," Briandy said on receiving the MVP award. "I’m strongly convinced that the MVP can’t be found on the court - it has to come naturally. I believe the MVP isn’t just an individual award, but it’s made possible by the hard work of the entire team."

"I always play for my team, I never play for the number, I always try to contribute, to give the best of me to get the result, but for my team. I'm one of those who think that individual awards only come out on the pitch, you don't look for them."

And teammate Haila Gonzalez was the deserved winner of the women's MVP topping RBIs with 38 ahead of Briandy's 29 and Lithuania's Kristijona Vicas with 28.

"It’s really hard to describe what I’m feeling right now, the emotions I have inside, I cannot put into words," Gonzalez said after the final. "Winning was so important for us because it allowed us to stay calm during the competition and the game. We were able to execute what our coach taught us and what we practised daily. Cuba will be very proud of us, and I’m sure many Cubans stayed awake to watch this. We’re looking forward to returning home."