Puerto  Rico won the gold medal at NORCECA U-19

BAYAGUANA, Dominican Republic, August 28, 2006.- Puerto Rico won the gold medal at the 2006 NORCECA Youth Men’s Continental Tournament while defeating USA 25-20, 25-22, 25-21. Both teams were already qualified for next year’s World Championship.

Captain Enmanuel Batista was the top scorer with 15 points, Omar Rivera added 13 and Sequiel Sanchez had 11 points.

“It is a great victory for all of us, the dominance of the fundaments was the key,” said Carlos Rodríguez, the Puerto Rican coach.

Meanwhile, for the second time at the event, Cuba proved to be too much for Canada's youth men to handle.  Cuba defeated Canada 3-0 (25-22, 25-19 y 25-21) in last night's bronze medal match.

Armando Danger had 16 points and Rolando Cepeda added 12. Canadian Gordon Perrin had 16 points and Graham Vigrass added 8.

In the match for sixth place, Dominican Republic defeated Guatemala 25-12, 25-15, 25-14 and once again Captain Hayden Reynoso was the best scorer with 19 points, Wascar Garcia had 11 and Pedro Garcia 10.

Puerto Rican Rivera was elected as the Most Valuable Player of the competition, Dominican Reynoso was the best scorer and Cuban Danger the best attacker.

Cuban Cepeda earned the title as best server and his teammate Leandro Macias was the best setter. American Tyler Jaynes was the best blocker and Puerto Rican Dennis del Valle was the best digger, receiver and libero.

The final ranking of the tournament: 1. Puerto Rico, 2. USA, 3. Cuba, 4. Canada, 5. Mexico, 6. Dominican Republic, 7. Guatemala.