homepage

 

 

Puerto Rico beats Costa Rica to secure a spot in semis

 

   

CORDOBA, Mexico, October 8, 2015 - Puerto Rico qualified to the semifinals at the NORCECA Men's Continental Volleyball Championship after winning in three sets against Costa Rica by scores of 25-17, 25-19 at 25-19 in the quarterfinals round.

 

Hector Soto had 12 points for that Puerto Rican squad, that is already part of the top four teams of the competition and secured a berth in the Final 4 Tournament which gives one ticket to the Olympic Games in 2016.

 

On the Costa Ricas side, Richard Smith Hall closed the match with 12 points. Puerto Rico beat their Central American rival with an 8-4 advantage in blocks and 4-2 in team aces after one hour and 11 minutes of game time.

 

"I want to congratulate Puerto Rico for this victory. For us this match was difficult, but we came here trying to play one day at a time, trying to improve," said Costa Rican captain, Javier Alvarez.

 

Meanwhile, the captain of Puerto Rico, Hector Soto stated: "I think as a team we are obviously happy to qualify to the pre-Olympic tournament, but I'm not satisfied at all, because we have not reached our best level during the tournament. Today we played more disciplined in our blocking game."

 

Costa Rica coach Cesar Salas, congratulated the Puerto Rican team and also remarked: "We have had an evolution in terms of our volleyball. Previously, playing against Puerto Rico was difficult. Today, there are still difficulties, but we could defend ourselves. We have tried to serve, and work on everything, and plying with combinations, so the team has grown to face rivals at this level. "

 

Javier Gaspar, coach of Puerto Rico, said: "Congratulations to Costa Rica and its working group. They have improved their level. We have tried to do our best at this Pre-Olympic qualifying tournament after three matches. As I said before, we had not been able to prepare as a team for this tournament, Our players are in their clubs, but I think we will gradually join together as a team. Tomorrow, we will have a bigger challenge in the semifinals phase."