Dominican Republic beat Puerto Rico and qualified to FIVB World Grand Prix 

 

COLIMA, Mexico, June 27,2007.-Spectacular Bethania de la Cruz scored 26 points and Cindy Rondon had 9 blocks sending the Dominican Republic to a five-set victory over Puerto Rico in the Sixth Annual Pan American Cup. The score was 25-17, 22-25, 25-27, 25-17, 15-7.

 

The victory qualified Dominican Republic to the semi finals against Cuba and also to the 2008 FIVB World Grand Prix.

 

The Dominicans built a high wall in the last two sets and repeatedly blocked the Puerto Rico killing attempts. They had 23 blocks against 13 by their opponents.

 

Rondon had 17 points, Milagros Cabral 14, Cosiris Rodriguez 12 and Annerys Vargas contributed 9 points. Eva and Aury Cruz each had 16 points for Puerto Rico and Karina Ocasio added 13.

 

“It was a great match as everybody expected,” said Rodriguez. “We know each other very well and our matches are always of this type.”

 

“We have to give credit to the Dominicans because they played well at the crucial moments,” said Aury Cruz. “We have tried to qualify for the Grand Prix the last two years and both times came up short.”

 

“Our blocking was great for the last two sets,” said Miguel Beato Cruz, the Dominican coach. “We made some adjustments and recovered the rhythm we lost in the second and third sets. It is a great victory for us and I am satisfied with the job done by my players.”