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Puerto Rico prevails against Canada and qualifies to FIVB World League Qualification Tournament 

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, May 27, 2010 – Puerto Rico overcame Canada in a five-setter thriller (25-23, 17-25, 25-22, 28-30, 16-14) and booked a ticket in the FIVB Qualification Tournament for the 2011 World League. The victory sent the home team to the semifinals of the Men’s Pan American Cup alongside Argentina, Brazil and USA, teams already qualified to this year’s world event.

Roberto Muñiz, subbing for injured star Hector Soto, responded with 24 points to lead the winning offense and Victor Rivera contributed 23 points. Jose Rivera recorded 16 including one service ace for the decisive point in the tie-breaker. Gavin Schmitt and Steve Gotch had 19 and 17 respectively for Canada.

In the Friday’s semifinal phase, Puerto Rico will face Argentina and United States will play Brazil. Elsewhere, Colombia and Mexico will decide the seventh place.

“I had the responsibility to fill the big shoes of Hector Soto and I feel real happy to have delivered,” Muñiz said during the press conference. “I think the team with more desire won tonight and we wanted to win for our home fans.”

“It is a great victory for our team as we achieved the goal of qualifying as one of the challengers for next year’s FIVB competition,” Victor Rivera said.
 

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