Mexico to play Cuba for the gold

TIJUANA, Mexico, July 6 2012 - Mexico advanced to the finals of the NORCECA Boys’ U-19 Continental Championship by defeating Puerto Rico 3-0 (25-11, 25-14, 25-16) in Friday’s semifinals.

The host team, already qualified to the U-19 World Championship will match Cuba for the gold medal on Saturday night.

Enrique Ugalde finished as the leading scorer with 12 points for Mexico, while Captain Mauricio López finished with 11 and Geiser Mejía, with 10. For Puerto Rico, Juan Ruiz Goyco scored 6 and Christian Pellicier 5.

“Mexico had a good match. Played tough and we didn’t do anything to get in, they broke our blocking game and kept the rhythm,” Puerto Rican captain Luis Garcia said.

“In eleven years as a coach in this category I’ve never seen a Mexican team tactically built as good as this, congratulations to Mexico.

They also controlled the ball very well and we will try to get the medal and the second ticket to the World Championship,” Puerto Rico’s Coach Carlos Rodriguez pointed out.

For Mauricio Lopez, the fan support was combined with a strategy.

“We studied our opponent very well. Now we have to focus in Cuba, and I wish good luck to Puerto Rico in the bronze medal match.”

There was no coincidence for Mexican coach Oscar Licea who remarked: “This is the fruit of hard work. We have many years working with these boys.  They have shown a very mature attitude and we will apply a good strategy in the final against Cuba.”

Puerto Rico will play for the bronze medal against United States while Mexico will face Cuba at the final match of this tournament. Mexico is already qualified to the world championship as hosts in 2013.