Puerto Rico to meet Mexico in final match

 

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, June 7, 2007.- Puerto Rico will clash with Mexico in the match for the gold medal of the Men’s Volleyball Pan American Cup on Friday.

 

The Puerto Ricans recovered from losing the first set and continued to beat Canada 22-25, 25-19, 27-25, 25-20 in their semi final encounter. Previously Mexican had defeated Cuba in four sets.

 

Victor Bird scored a tournament high 32 points for Puerto Rico and Alexis Matias and Enrique Escalante each added 13. Mark Dodds and Dallas Soonias led Canada with 17 and 11 points.

 

Both Puerto Rico and Mexico secured berths for the Americas Cup next year in Brazil. The winner of the match between Cuba and Canada for the bronze medal will also qualify to the event in Brazil.

 

“We improved our reception and blocked and counterattacked well,” said Jorge Perez Vento, the Puerto Rican coach. “Also our serve location was as planned.”

 

“Puerto Rico showed the experience and composure to produce under pressure and that was a key ingredient,” said Chris Green, the Canadian coach.