Las Tunas swept Industriales in the final series to succeed Granma. Stellar pitcher Keniel Ferraz earned postseason MVP honours.
Las Tunas swept Industriales in the final to claim the 62nd Cuban National League (Serie Nacional). They succeeded the two-time defending champions Granma. It's the second league title for Las Tunas after the 2018-2019 win.
It's the seventh time a team has swept the final series but the first for Las Tunas. At the same time, it's the first time Industriales were swept in a final series.
Las Tunas became the 12th team to earn multiple league titles. The list includes Industriales 12, Santiago de Cuba 8, Vegueros 6, Villa Clara 5, Pinar del Río 4, Granma 4, Azucareros 3, Henequeneros 3, Ciego de Ávila 3, Habana 2, Citricultores 2 and Las Tunas 2
Cuban National League Final Series Results
Las Tunas-Industriales 7-2 Las Tunas-Industriales 4-3 Las Tunas-Industriales 8-1 Las Tunas-Industriales 6-1
First-year manager Abeisy Pantoja became the 12th skipper to celebrate a National Series title in his first year as manager. He coached in the National League for 14 years before earning his chance as manager.
Pitcher Keniel Ferraz, who recorded six wins without losses, earned the post-season MVP honours. His record marked a historic milestone, surpassing the 5-0 set by stellar pitchers such as José Ariel Contreras, Miguel Alfredo González, Vladimir García, Freddy Asiel Álvarez and Lázaro Blanco.
"I would have never imagined I could write a chapter in Cuban baseball history," said the 27-year-old after the final.
Yosvani Torres is the only other pitcher who earned six wins in a postseason. He went 6-3 in the 2010-2011 campaign for Pinar del Rio.
Cuba's Serie Nacional is a 16-team league. Industriales defeated Santiago de Cuba in seven games in the semifinal series, while Las Tunas eliminated Matanzas in six games.
