Mexico reach the finals after winning a golden set

Mazatlan, Mexico, June 22, 2012 – Canada and Mexico advanced to the final series of the NORCECA Men’s Beach Volleyball Continental Cup following their successful battles against Cuba and Puerto Rico respectively on Friday.

Canada outlasted Cuba in the three contests while Mexico overcame Puerto Rico in five matches. The defeated sides will stay in competition for third place with Cuba playing El Salvador and Puerto Rico battling Guatemala.

The winners of the tournament are granted a ticket to the tournament of the London Games while the second and third place teams will stay in competition for the last two Olympic berths in offer at the World Cup Qualification Tournament in Moscow, Russia from June 27 to July 1.

Canada’s Christian Redmann and Benjamin Saxton won their two matches of Friday against Cubans Karell Piña and Sergio Gonzalez (21-19, 21-19) and Yaismel Borrell and Yadrian Escobar (21-15, 21-16).

Mexico’s combined team of Juan Virgen and Lombardo Ontiveros prevailed 15-10 in a golden set against Roberto Rodriguez and Erick Haddock of Puerto Rico-A.

Men’s results

Guatemala 2, Nicaragua 1

NCA-A d. GUA-B (22-20, 21-19)

GUA-A d. NCA-B (21-17, 16-21, 15-13)

GUA-A d. NCA-A (15-10)

El Salvador 2, Costa Rica 1

CRC-B d. ESA-A (21-17, 21-18)

ESA-B  d. CRC-A (18-21, 21-16, 15-10)

ESA d. CRC (15-13)

Canada 3,  Cuba 0

CAN-B d. CUB-A (21-19, 21-19)

CAN-A d. CUB-B (21-15, 21-14)

CAN-B d. CUB-B (21-15, 21-16) *

Mexico 3, Puerto Rico 2

PUR-A d. MEX-B (22-20, 21-19)

MEX-A d. PUR-B (21-14, 14-21, 15-11)

MEX-B d. PUR-B (21-19, 21-16)

PUR-A d. MEX-A (21-18, 21-18)

MEX d. PUR-A (15-10) *

*Advance to the finals