Puerto Rico advances to semifinals winning Pool A

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, June 8, 2018.- Puerto Rico won Pool A defeating host Costa Rica 3-0 (25-13, 25-16, 25-12) to advance into the semifinals of the NORCECA U19 Boys’ Continental Championship that grants two tickets to next year’s FIVB World Championship.

Puerto Rico finished pool-play with two wins in two outings, while Costa Rica finished with 1-1 record.

Puerto Rico held a sizeable 40-12 advantage in attacks over Costa Rica, having no difficulties to enter the semifinals. Puerto Rico was also superior in blocking by 8-5 and in serves 6-0. Both committed similar amount of errors, Puerto Rico finished with 24 and Costa Rica with 21.

Opposite Sebastian Negron led Puerto Rico with 10 points and wing spiker Wilmer Hernandez contributed with 8 points. On Costa Rica’s side, Dowshel Mc Donald scored 9 points.

Costa Rica will face Guatemala in quarterfinals on Saturday morning.

His team played very well, according to coach Juan Albarran of Puerto Rico, “our strong serves prevented them to attack by the center, which is their strength. Our game plan was well executed and we are ready to study our next opponent, most possibly United States”.

Captain Wilmer Hernandez of Puerto Rico was glad but not satisfied “we haven’t reached our goal to qualify for the world championship. My team did a good job in every aspect of the game, our execution was almost perfect. We are prepared to face United States in semifinals, it will be demanding”.

Juan Diego Arrieta, captain of Costa Rica said “facing opponents like Puerto Rico makes you realize that there is a lot to work on; they were aggressive in spikes and very intelligent. We scored some good points, but they blocked us well”. About facing Guatemala, he indicated “we know each other well, they are strong and it will be a tough match”.

Costa Rica’s coach Juan Acuña said “Puerto Rico is more disciplined and they beat us tactically; their served aggressively. We will face Guatemala in quarterfinals, one of Central America’s toughest opponents, it will be a bit hard, and it’s a classic in Central America”.