Cubans Gonzalez/Diaz will defend title against Mexico

BARRANQUILLA. July 31, 2018. Cuba with Sergio González and Nivaldo Díaz is in the final of the XXIII Central American and Caribbean Games Barranquilla 2018 where they will face Mexico with Lombardo Ontiveros/Juan Virgen, at the Puerta de Oro Events Center.

González/Díaz beat 21-13, 21-19 to the Venezuelan couple Carlos Rangel/José Gómez; now the champions in Veracruz 2014, will face one of its most complicated rivals, Ontiveros / Virgen.

"The plan went as good, we drew a strategy and it worked for us. The weather also helped because there was not much heat. We tell our followers in Cuba that we are going for the gold medal", said Gonzalez.

Díaz said that "all the teams that reach the final are demanding, but we are prepared to win that gold medal".

In the other semifinal, the Mexicans Ontiveros/Virgen, who won bronze in Veracruz 2014, beat  21-19, 21-16 the locals Johan Murray/Jorge Luis Manjarres, who had the support of their audience.

"We felt very happy, the Colombian team was doing well. It was a difficult game, it is always difficult to play against the locals, they demanded a lot, "said Ontiveros.

"The home team is always difficult, we did not know it, we had not played with them before, they had their people supporting and they put pressure on. It was important to enter concentrates, because carelessness and things could go wrong, "added Virgen.

The men's final will be played at 7:00 p.m. at the Puerta de Oro Events Center in Barranquilla.

Results of tuesday

Semifinals

CUB DOWN 2-0 (21-13, 21-19)

MEX d COL 2-0 (21-19, 21-16)

Classification 5-8

NCA d GUA 2-1 (21-19, 17-21, 15-13)

CRC d TTO 2-0 (23-21, 21-14)

Classification 9-12

SKN d CUR 2-0 (21-13, 21-14)

PUR d DOM 2-0 (23-21, 21-15)

Consolation of semifinals

ESA d JAM 2-0 (21-19, 21-12)

BAR d SUR 2-1 (10-21, 22-20, 15-9)

Classification 9-12

LCA d DMA 2-1 (20-22, 21-16, 15-4)

HON d CAY 2-0 (21-12, 21-18)