BOXING JUDGES HIT AGAIN : THIS TIME U.S. COACH SIDES WITH CUBANS.

Byline: Daily News Wire Services

American boxing officials complained about yet another scoring decision Saturday, but this time there was a twist: They were feeling sympathy for the Cubans.

Cuba picked up two boxing gold medals and two silver medals, but the crowd booed when Russian welterweight Oleg Saitov was given a 14-9 decision over Cuba's Juan Hernandez.

``I thought Hernandez won the fight,'' said U.S. assistant coach Jesse Ravelo, who has been outspoken in saying that judges have favored the Cubans. ``I just want to see the guy who wins get the win; I don't care what country he's from. Hernandez threw more shots.''

Even with that defeat and Arnaldo Mesa's bantamweight loss to Hungary's Istvan Kovacs, the Cubans are dominating the boxing medal race. Middleweight Ariel Hernandez and heavyweight Felix Savon weren't even tested in winning their second Olympic gold medals, and three more Cubans go for the gold today.

Hernandez defeated Turkey's Malik Beyleroglu 11-3 and Savon thumped Canada's David Defiagbon 20-2.

In other gold-medal bouts, Bulgaria's Daniel Petrov Bojilov defeated the Philippines' Mansueto Velasco in light flyweight and Algeria's Hocine Soltani won a lackluster 3-3 tiebreaker over Bulgaria's Tontcho Tontchev.

VOLLEYBALL

Relatively mum: Showing their skill - and, for a change, not talking much trash - the Cuban women took the gold medal for the second straight time, defeating China in four sets.

Led by incomparable hitter Mireya Luis and blockers Magalys Carvajal and Ana Ibis Fernandez, the Cubans won 14-16, 15-12, 17-16, 15-6.

The former Soviet Union was the only other country to win consecutive Olympic titles, in 1968 and '72. Cuba beat the Unified Team for the gold medal at Barcelona in 1992.

With the exception of two yellow cards for arguing calls, the Cubans were well-behaved. Ruben Acosta, president of the international federation, met with the Cubans before the title match to tell them to cool the insults.

BASKETBALL

Player injured in fight: A second-half fight slightly injured one player and led to the ejection of another, marring Russia's 91-74 victory over Cuba in the fifth-place game of the women's tournament.

With 10:07 to play and Russia leading 59-55, Olga Vigil of Cuba was called for a charge, taken by Irina Sumnikova. Vigil and Russia guard Yevgeniya Nikonova started pushing and slapping at each other's arms, and Vigil threw a punch that landed on the top of Nikonova's head.

As officials and teammates stepped in between the players, Vigil threw a blindside punch that caught Sumnikova on the left eye, causing an injury.

Lithuania takes bronze: In the men's tournament, Arvydas Sabonis and Sarunas Marciulionis, NBA players and Olympic veterans, led Lithuania to its third medal and the country's second straight bronze with an 80-74 win over Australia.

Sabonis, who plays for the Portland Trail Blazers, had 30 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks. Marciulionis, who plays for the Denver Nuggets, had 16 points and nine assists in a game that wasn't decided until Sabonis' three-point play and Marciulionis' two free throws in the final 35 seconds.

ALSO

Denmark won the gold medal in women's team handball, defeating South Korea 37-33 in overtime. The decision ended the dynasty of South Korea, which had won the last two Olympic gold medals. . . . In canoe-kayak, Germany dominated the six finals, winning three golds and a silver. No Americans competed after all the U.S. boats lost in the semifinals. . . . Equestrian Isabell Werth of Germany won the gold medal in individual dressage, beating two Dutch riders. After holding third place for the first two days, American Michelle Gibson faltered in the freestyle and finished fifth.

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Photo

Photo: Boxer Oleg Saitov of Russia covers his face in joy a s he is declared the gold-medal winner in his 147-pound bout against Cuba's Juan Hernandez.

Julian H. Gonzalez / Detroit Free Press