SAN SALVADOR, July 5, 2008.- Puerto Rico easily downed Dominican Republic in straight sets and grabbed the fifth place at the U-21 Norceca Men’s Continental Championship which concludes here today.

The Puerto Ricans took control of the match from te start and won it by score of 25-18, 25-20, 25-17 and avenge the loss to the Dominicans in the first day of the competition which practically cost them the clasification.

Sequiel Sanchez came back into action and led the attack with 15 points, followed by Emmanuel Batista with 12 and Luisel Otero with 10.

“Our strategy was to neutralize with our serves the attacks by their opposite, Pedro Garcia, and we suceded,” said Carlos Rodríguez, the Puerto Rican coach. Garcia scored 31 points in the previous match against his rivals of yesterday, and this time he only had 13, his worst total in the event, although he ended with 121 points, leading the competition.

“Nevertheless I feel proud of my boys who never were down despite the adversities and I take the opportunity to congratulate the Dominicans who have increased their level regarding the last tournament,” he added.

Jacinto Campechano, the Dominican coach, sounded disssapointed for the bad showing of his team during the tournament, “because we are better than we showed in this event.”