Mexico, Canada, Cuba and USA Reach

Men’s Semifinals in Zapopan

ZAPOPAN, Jalisco, September 6, 2025 – The men’s semifinals are set in Zapopan, with Mexico’s José Cardenas/Jorman Osuna, Canada’s Cameron Chadwick/Robert Kemp, Cuba’s Damian Gomez/Eblis Verane, and USA’s Evan Cory/Derek Bradford advancing at the seventh stop of the 2025 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour.

Sunday’s semifinals will see local favorites Cardenas/Osuna take on Chadwick/Kemp of Canada, while Cubans Gomez/Verane will clash with Americans Cory/Bradford for a place in the gold medal match.

Cardenas/Osuna delighted the home crowd with a straight-set quarterfinal win, defeating Venezuela’s Juliangel Zaid/Esynser Delgado 2-0 (23-21, 21-17). Chadwick/Kemp of Canada secured their semifinal berth with a convincing 2-0 (21-17, 21-14) victory over Nicaragua’s Ruben Mora/Dany Lopez.

In one of the most dramatic matches of the day, Cubans Gomez/Verane came from behind to stun Mexico’s Ines Vargas/Carlos Andrés Ayala 2-1 (20-22, 23-21, 15-6). Meanwhile, Cory/Bradford of the United States downed El Salvador’s twin brothers Christopher and Yoel Guardado 2-0 (21-14, 21-18) to remain perfect in the tournament.

Earlier in the day, the final round of pool play set the stage for the quarterfinals. Mexico’s Lares/Carlos Andrés dominated Pool A with a commanding 2-0 (21-10, 21-4) win over Trinidad and Tobago’s Butcher/Enile. Chadwick/Kemp of Canada finished atop Pool B after edging Guatemala’s Izaguirre/Maldonado 2-0 (21-14, 24-22), followed by Cuba’s Gomez/Verane, who defeated Venezuela’s Harrison/Hernandez 2-0 (21-14, 21-18).

In Pool C, Esynser/Juliangel of Venezuela emerged first after a hard-fought 2-1 (20-22, 21-18, 15-10) victory over Puerto Rico’s Rivera/Rosich, who were forced to withdraw due to an injury. The Guardado twins earned their quarterfinal ticket with a thrilling 2-1 (25-23, 17-21, 15-12) win over Costa Rica’s D. Dyner/Varela.

Cory/Bradford of the USA topped Pool D undefeated, beating Puerto Rico’s Encarnacion/Pacheco 2-0 (22-20, 21-16). Mexico’s Cardenas/Osuna claimed second place in the pool after an exciting comeback win over Canada’s Gannett/Rivest 2-1 (15-21, 21-17, 15-13).

Placement Matches:

C 13/16: Encarnacion/Pacheco PUR (bye); Harrison/Hernandez VEN d D. Dyner/Varela CRC 2-1 (16-21, 21-17, 15-9).

C 9/12: Izaguirre/Maldonado GUA d Rivera/Rosich PUR (forfeit); Gannett/Rivest CAN d Butcher/Enile TTO 2-0 (21-10, 21-12).