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 USA
wins Pool B but ends in quarterfinals
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, May 26, 2010 – USA
recovered from losing the first set and defeated
Puerto Rico 3-1 (19-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-23) to
win Pool B of the Men’s Pan American Cup but
both teams ended in the quarterfinals round of
the event.
Idle Brazil joined Argentina in the semifinals
with a better points-ratio (1.105) than USA
(1.085). In Thursday’s quarterfinals Puerto Rico
will meet Canada and USA will play against
Dominican Republic.
The Puerto Ricans took the first set comfortably
but their chances of triumph were diminished
when star player Hector Soto suffered a left
groin injury early in the second set and was
lost for the rest of the match.
Carson Clark led the winners with 24 points and
Andrew McGuire and Robert Tarr contributed 14
and 12 points respectively. Puerto Ricans Jose
Rivera and Victor Rivera compiled 20 and 11
points.
“Unfortunately Picky (Soto) got injured but that
is not an excuse,” Argentinean Coach of Puerto
Rico Carlos Cardona said. “We made many errors
in defense and also in our attacks. Obviously we
didn’t have an opposite to score 30 points every
night so we will have to distribute the load in
our next matches.”
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