Rodriguez and Haddock combine for another gold medal

MAYAGUEZ, Puerto Rico, August 26, 2012 – Roberto “Rafu” Rodriguez and Erick Haddock of Puerto Rico-A beat Simon Fecteau-Botin and Cameron Wheelan of Canada-B 21-18, 21-17 to claim the men’s gold medal of Mayaguez Beach Volleyball Tournament, the seventh stop of the 2012 NORCECA Circuit.

Rodriguez/Haddock outclassed their opponents from start to finish and had a strong support from the local fans that crowded the stands of the main court of the Litoral de Mayaguez beach volleyball complex.

It was the fourth gold medal of the year for Rodriguez and the second teaming-up with Haddock as they also combined to win the title in the first event of the year at Cayman Islands. Rodriguez was also crowned with Pablo Guzman in Guatemala and Orlando Irizarry in Santo Domingo.

“We are very happy with the job done,” Haddock commented. “We had talked about expecting a strong opponent as it is usual de case with Canada and our plan worked for the win.”

Grant O’Gorman and Samuel Pedlow of Canada-A subdued  José Rivera and Fernando Morales of Puerto Rico-C 2-0 (21-15, 21-14) in the match for men’s third place.

In  semifinals, Rodriguez/Haddock defeated Rivera/Morales 21-17, 21-11 while Feacteau-Botin/Wheelan prevailed 21-18, 23-21 over compatriots O’Gorman/Pedlow.

Quarterfinals: CAN-B d TRI 2-0 (21-15, 21-16), PUR-C d PUR-B 2-0 (25-23, 21-17). Semifinals: CAN-B d CAN-A 2-0 (21-18, 23-21), PUR-A d PUR-C 2-0 (21-17, 21-11). Bronze Medal: CAN-A d PUR-C 2-0 (21-15, 21-14).  Gold Medal: PUR-A d CAN-B 2-0 (21-18, 21-17).

Results of 2012:

Place                   Champions

Cayman Islands     Rodriguez/Haddock (PUR)

Guatemala            Rodríguez/Guzmán (PUR)

Boca Chica, D.R.    Rodríguez/Irizarry (PUR)

Chiapas, México     Piña/González (CUB)

Toluca, México      Virgen/Ontiveros (MEX)

Varadero, Cuba     Piña/González (CUB)

Mayagüez, P.R.     Rodríguez/Haddock (PUR)