Photo: Edgar Montelongo / Norsica.
Puerto Rico beat Cuba 3-1 (5-16, 19-25, 26-24, 31-29) and advanced to face Canada in the final of the Norseca Continental Volleyball Championship (M), which concludes on Monday in Durango. , Mexico. The Cuban champions excelled in attack (55-47), blocking (12-7) and aces (6-3), but they lost 44 points due to unforced errors and will face the bronze medal against Mexico.
Norceca reported that the winners advanced with a resounding first set and after the Cubans forced their way into the net, they hit back to finally seal the match in dramatic fashion, but not before overcoming a four-point deficit (20-24). ).
And Jesus Herrera, the opposite left-back, was the best scorer in the fencing with 24 points, accompanied by the corner player Miguel Angel Lopez (18) and the center Jose Israel Maso (10).
For Puerto Rico, Gabriel Garcia led the attack, with 18 units (15 attacks, 2 blocks and 1 ace), and co-forwards Pedro Molina and Pelegrín Vargas added 11 and 10 units.
Cuban coach Yosefani Muñoz declared that “Puerto Rico knew how to make good use of it, we made a lot of mistakes throughout the match and lost a lot of yards. Tomorrow we will go out to look for the podium.”
He added, “Qualifying directly to the World Cup in Russia 2022 escaped us, but we hope that the site will be in Russia classification Let’s be there.”
For his part, Puerto Rico coach Oswald Antonetti said, “Cuba was one of the forces in Norsica volleyball because of its great ability to attract players, its dynamic style and its physical preparation.
“For our part, we have good volleyball, which needs these experiences for good growth and our identity. We are happy with the project.”
“It was a tough match, overcoming the strength of Cuba was complicated, we came from below on several occasions, but our patience was worth it, we hope to score one point at a time as we trust our skills,” said Puerto Rican captain Arturo Iglesias.
Canada will compete with Puerto Rico on Monday for the gold medal. Both teams have already secured tickets to the World Cup. Before that, Cuba will discuss the bronze medal against Mexico.
The Northerners advanced to the Grand Final by defeating the Mexicans 3-0 (25-22, 25-17, 25-18) and will seek to win their second title in the event’s history. The first was acquired in 2015.
For the Puerto Ricans, it will be the premiere, because they have not won the championship title.
In fifth place she will face the Dominican Republic and the United States, the seventh Trinidad and Tobago and Guatemala, who fell to the Dominicans and the Americans in the penultimate date.
The tournament also awards points for classification With the goal of qualifying for the 2023 Pan American Games in Chile.
(with information from JIT)
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