Victory with Cuban Flavor in Huixquilucan

HUIXQUILUCAN, Mexico, June 8 2014 -  The fifth stop of the VIII Norceca Beach Volleyball Circuit had a Cuban flavor as Nivaldo Díaz and Sergio Gonzalez, defeated Josh Binstock and Sam Schachter of Canada 1 (22-20, 21-15).

“I felt very great. People in the stands were always supporting us. The first set was a little bit complicated, but in the second one everything was so relaxed,” Díaz said after winning their third gold medal of the season in as many tries.

“We prepared very well in Cuba, with many months ahead physically, and that helped us a lot for the result we were waiting for, because we came here to fight,” stated Gonzalez.

Juan Virgen and Lombardo Ontiveros of México 1 defeated USA1 whose roster included Beijing 2008 champion Todd Rogers and his partner Theo Brunner (26-24, 14-21, 15-12).

“It was a pretty intense match against USA, a very strong team, you can’t say any more when you are in front of an olympic gold medal winner and a partner he’s taking working hard.

“In some kind of way they are new, but at the same time, they are very experienced. They have such a great level league like the AVP. We finish happy but wished to get into the finals,” said Ontiveros.

“It is a great honor to faced this kind of players, world caliber legendary players with Olympic medals, and winning is much better. That really motivates us to go on,” Juan Virgen mentioned.

The Mexicans lost against Cuba in semifinals. Gonzalez and Diaz won in three sets (21-16, 15-21, 15-9). Rogers and Brunner, were favourites to contend for gold but lost in semifinals (21-16, 21-18) against Sam Schacther and Josh Binstock, of Canada 1.

“I’m a little bit disappointed, especially because my blocking was very good, so we had them a little scared, but I got very tired at the end and we didn’t have a total team contribution. They are so strong and you have to be strong the whole time,” Binstock stated.

This medal was the second in one week for the Canadians, who had previously won a bronze in Manzanillo.

Sunday’s Men Results

Semifinals: CUB d MEX1 (21-16, 15-21, 15-9), CAN1 d USA1 (21-16, 21-18). Bronze Medal Match: MEX1 d USA1  (26-24, 14-21, 15-12) Gold Medal Match: CUB d CAN1 (22-20-21,15).