VERACRUZ (Central American and Caribbean Games) - Cuba came up well short of the podium at the FIBA World Championship for Women but coach Alberto Zabala had a very good and exciting team.

In a 70-69 heartbreaking loss to Belarus, a 73-57 triumph over Korea and then in an 86-79 setback to Serbia in the Qualifications for Quarter-Finals round, Cubans Yamara Amargo, Clenia Noblet, Marlen Cepeda, Oyanaisy Gelis and Leidys Oquendo made plenty of highlight reel plays in Istanbul's Abdi Ipekci.

Despite having their tournament end in frustrating fashion to Serbia, for Zabala's side was the better of the two for stretches of the contest, the FIBA Americas outfit left Turkey feeling good about their game.

This week, the same Cuban side defeated Puerto Rico to win the gold medal at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz, Mexico.

Noblet, one of Cuba's most feisty players, had 20 points while Armago finished with 16 and Oquendo 14.

Gelis had seven assists to go with her eight points and Cepeda, the third leading rebounder at the World Championship with an average of 10 per game, weighed in with seven points and five boards.

Cuba, who are No. 13 in the FIBA bwin Ranking Women, won all five of their games in Veracruz.

Next year, Zabala's side will attempt to qualify for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

With the United States having already clinched their place in the event with the world title and Brazil playing as the host nation, Cuba will have a fighting chance to win the FIBA Americas Championship for Women and seal a place at the Summer Games.

Their biggest adversaries are likely to be the Canadians, who finished fifth at the FIBA World Championship.

Canada will also have home-court advantage at the FIBA Americas Championship for Women with the tournament to be staged in Edmonton.

Cuba may have a psychological edge, though as the veteran team defeated Canada in the Final of the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico.

FIBA