Puerto Rican Soto scores 28 in victory over USA

RIFFA, Bahrain, August 26, 2017 - Puerto Rico defeated USA in four sets (25-20, 21-25, 30-28, 25-23) in the classification match for 13th place-16th place of the 2017 FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U19 World Championship in Isa City Sports Hall on Saturday.

Puerto Rico captain Gabriel Garcia posted a match-high of 28 points from 26 attacks and two blocks. Pedro Molina and Randy Perez likewise posted double-digits, 13 points and 12 points respectively to power Puerto Rico’s offence past their opponents. Joel Schneidmiller led the USA side with 21 points. 

In the other classification match for the 13th place-16th place, Bahrain swept Cuba 3-0 (25-23, 25-16, 25-16).

Mohamed Jasim, Hasan Haider and Sayed Mohamed Alabbar finished with 15, 13 and 11 points, respectively, in the victory. Lazaro Brunet had 13 as the best Cuban scorer.

Bartosz Firszt helped Poland in their 3-0 (25-16, 29-27, 25-23) win over Mexico to finish in 17th place.

Firszt led Poland with 17 points, including 15 attacks and two aces. His team-mate Artur Slugocki made 15 points, outscoring Mexico’s best scorer Diego Gonzalez Castaneda who tallied 13 points.