Cuban men’s teams move into semifinals at Varadero

VARADERO, Cuba, July 16, 2016 – Cuban teams will face each other while United States will meet Canada in the men’s semifinals at the Varadero Beach Volleyball Tournament, the eighth stop of the 2016 NORCECA Circuit that concludes on Sunday with the medal matches.

Sergio Gonzalez and Nivaldo Diaz (CUB-A) kept their inspiration in day two on Saturday when they beat Recinos/Garrido (GUA) 2-0 (21-14, 21-13) to win Pool A with undefeated record and then outplayed resilient compatriots Peña/Quesada 2-0 (21-18, 24-22) in an emotional match.

In the semifinal round, the Rio de Janeiro bound team will face another local pair of Liosbel/Yendris (CUB-C), the only other undefeated pair in pool play leading Pool C, who easily won over the Guatemalan duo 2-0 (21-10, 21-10).

The other semifinal features McLachlin/Evans of United States against Plantinga/Wheelan of Canada-A, who won in the round of eight over Lesniak/Ratelle (ISV) 2-0 (21-13, 21-18) and Redmann/Humana-Paredes (CAN-B) 2-1 (21-13, 18-21, 17-15), respectively.

Plantinga/Wheelan opened the day with a close victory over McLachlin/Evans 2-1 (18-21, 25-23, 15-11), but then lost their unbeaten mark and the first place in Pool B in another emotional match against Peña/Quesada, who closed with a 2-1 (23-21, 18-21, 15-11).

The semifinals of the men’s segment will be played simultaneously starting at 8:50 a.m., with the contests for the bronze and gold starting at 10:00.

Men’s Results of Saturday

Pool A: CUB-A d GUA 2-0 (21-14, 21-13); HON d DOM 2-0 (21-18, 21-17)

Final Positions: 1.- Sergio González/Nivaldo Díaz, CUB-A (3-0), 2.- Julio A. Recinos/Erick Garrido, GUA (2-1), 3.- Manuel A. Serrano/Andrés Vigil, HON (1-2), 4.- Luis A. Castillo/ William Sánchez, DOM (0-3).

Pool B: CAN-A d USA 2-1 (18-21, 25-23, 15-11); CUB-B d CAN-A 2-1 (23-21, 18-21, 15-11); USA d CUR 2-0 (21-13, 21-13)

Final Positions: 1.- Spencer McLachlin/Evans Miles, USA (2-1), 2.- Michael Plantinga/Cameron Wheelan, CAN-A (2-1), 3.- Karell Peña/Daisel Quesada, CUB-B (2-1), 4.- Darwin Colina/Norandy Bonafasia, CUR (0-3).

Pool C: CAN-B d ESA 2-1 (21-17, 21-14); CUB-C d ISV 2-0 (23-21, 21-16)

Final Positions: 1.- Liosbel Méndez/Yendris Castillo, CUB-C (3-0), 2.- Felipe Humana-Paredes/Christian Redmann, CAN-B (2-1), 3.- Dillon Lesniak/Ryan Ratelle, ISV (1-2), 4.- Carlos Escobar/David Vargas, ESA (0-3).

Quarterfinals: CUB-A d CUB-B 2-0 (21-18, 24-22), CAN-A d CAN-B 2-1 (21-13, 18-21, 17-15), CUB-C d GUA 2-0 (21-10, 21-10), USA d ISV 2-0 (21-13, 21-18). Losers Quarterfinals: DOM d CUR 2-1 (21-17, 20-22, 15-13), ESA d HON 2-1 (19-21, 21-11, 15-8).