Dominican Republic move to quarterfinals

 

CAGUAS, Puerto Rico, January 8, 2008.- The Dominican Republic defeated Barbados in straight sets (25-19, 25-19, 25-17) and advanced to a quarterfinals match against Cuba on Wednesday. The Dominicans (1-2) ended in third place of Pool A and Barbados finished in fourth (0-3).

 

Jose Caceres led three Dominicans in double figures with 15 points, followed by Victos Batista and Eury Almonte with 11 and 10 respectively. Fabian Cox and Renier Grace each had 9 points for Barbados.

 

“We came trying to secure the advance to the next phase and we did it,” said Jacinto Campechano, the Dominican coach. “We controlled the match but I think Barbados is a team of good potential.”

 

The Dominican combination of Caceres and Batista proved to be a lethal weapon in route to winning the first set.

In the second set, the Dominicans led 8-6 and 16-13 at the regular stops and won it employing solid blocking.

 

Teams played closely with the Dominicans leading 8-7 in the third set, but they expanded their advantage to 16-12 at the second technical time-out putting things under control.