Cubans Alvarez-Villar in semi finals of Beach Volleyball 

CARTAGENA, Colombia, July 21, 2006.- Cuba secured its advance to the semi final round of men’s beach volleyball at the XX Central American and Caribbean Games with the victories of Alvarez-Villar over Trinidadians Edwards- Thomas 21-12, 21-9 and then against Guatemala by default. They finished as leaders in Pool C with 5-0 record.

Venezuelans Henriquez/Hernandez dominated Dominicans Perez-Abreu for their fourth triumph in Pool D and will be looking for another success against Costa Rica on Saturday.

The two victories of the couple Ontiveros-Ontiveros of Mexico won over Medrano-Leiva of El Salvador by 21-19, 21-14 and against Colombians Barrios-Saldarriaga 21-16, 21-14, gave them the second place in Pool C.

The Puerto Rican pair of Papaleo-Gil stopped the unbeaten Costa Ricans (Araya-Guevara) in consecutive sets by 21-14, 21-14.

In other matches on Friday, Colombians Barrios-Saldarriaga won by default over Guatemala, Barbados beat St Kitts & Nevis 21-19, 21-13  and El Salvador edged Trinidad & Tobago 21-12, 21-12.

Meanwhile, the definition of Pool B will have to wait for another day until the definition of Saturday matches in order to know the next rivals.

In women’s action, the Venezuelans pair of Rodriguez-Garcia is unbeaten in four outings following a triumph over Guatemalans Orellana-Ramirez 21-9, 21-12, and the Puerto Ricans Puig-Yantin beat Dominicans Suero-Medrano 22-24, 21-10, 15-8.

The girls from Venezuela will meet the Dominicans on Saturday and the Puerto Ricans will face Barbados.

The Cuban pair of Fernandez-Larrea won their pool in defeating Salvadorians Molina-Romero 21-7, 21-6 and then beat Hondurans Pino-Inestroza.

In other matches, Colombia won two matches and moved to the quarterfinals while defeating Pino and Inestroza 21-19, 19-21, 15-12 and Costa Ricans Alfaro-Aguilar 21-11, 21-14.

Mexicans Revuelta-Virgen won their two matches defeating Costa Rica 21-9, 21-12 and El Salvador 21-10, 21-13, and Trinidad & Tobago beat Barbados 11-21, 21-14, 15-11.