WATER POLO : U.S., Russia Favored to Win Alamo Cup

The United States and Russian national water polo teams appear to be the favorites at the second Alamo Cup tournament that begins tonight at the Belmont Plaza Olympic Pool in Long Beach.

The Americans, who won the event last year, have entered two teams. The A team consists of most of the players from the 1992 U.S. Olympic team. It is coming off last month’s fourth-place finish at the World Championships.

The B team is made up of 19 collegiate players vying for 13 spots on the roster for next month’s World University Games in Buffalo, N.Y.

Most of the Russians played for the Commonwealth of Independent States, the bronze medalist at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.

In tonight’s only match, Cuba plays Canada at 7:30.

On Thursday, the U.S. B team plays Greece at 5:30 p.m., Russia takes on Cuba at 6:45 and the U.S. A team battles Canada at 8. U.S. Coach Richard Corso is the former Canadian national team coach.

The round-robin tournament moves to the El Toro High pool in Lake Forest on Friday with three matches. Four matches are scheduled at Corona del Mar High in Newport Beach on Saturday.

Play concludes Sunday in La Jolla with three tournament matches and an exhibition between the U.S. B team and USA Maccabiah.