Cuba to play Canada for gold, qualify to WCH

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, August 2, 2014 - Cuba advanced to the NORCECA’s U21 Continental Championship Final and qualified to the 2015 FIVB World Championship age group with a 25-19, 25-18, 25-19 win over Puerto Rico at Palacio de los Deportes on Saturday.

Cuba will play in Sunday’s gold medal match at 7 p.m. against Canada. Puerto Rico will face United States for bronze medal at 3 p.m.  El Salvador will play for fifth place against Barbados. Mexico won 3-0 over Honduras for the seventh place.

Cuba’s block was superior 9-2, led in kills 35-26 and both teams had same number of aces (4-4). Cuba scored 27 points on Puerto Rico errors while committing 24.

Cuba’s Alfonso Abraham led all scorers with 13 points, 10 kills and two aces. Osmany Uriarte added 11 points on eight attacks, two blocks and one ace. Jon Rivera led Puerto Rico with 8 points and Reily Calderon added seven points.

Quotes

Ricardo Calvo, Cuba’s Captain: “At the beginning we were a little nervous, but we have very good players who knew how to give everything in the court. We have done a lot of work with our serves and today were good. Canada has tall players and good blockers, it is going to be a great match."

Pavel Pimienta, Cuba’s Coach: “I'm happy because we won and have the ticket to the FIVB Worlds. But I'm not pleased because we made ​​many mistakes, gave away many points. I hope tomorrow (against Canada) we will do better."

Brian Negron, Puerto Rico’s Captain: “I think we made a good game, Cuba has a good level. Our attitude was there, but their level was higher. I'm partially happy, but still we have the match for the bronze medal, it would be an honor to be on the podium."

Juan Avilés, Puerto Rico’s Coach: “It was complicated. Cuba has a very high level of service, we had problems with that. Our players were very good, and we have the opportunity to play for the bronze medal and the way they played against Cuba I think we can do something against United States".