Mexico, USA, and U.S. Virgin Islands Advance to the NORCECA Semifinals in Costa Rica

SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica, December 7, 2024.- Mexico’s duos, Sarabia/Osuna and Lares/Cruz, along with Tucker/Caldwell from the United States and Bucklin/Penberthy from the U.S. Virgin Islands, advanced to the men’s semifinals at the ninth stop of the NORCECA Tour in Costa Rica.

The semifinals will begin Sunday at 9:00 a.m., with the following matchups: Tyler Penberthy/Garrett Bucklin (ISV) will face Silila Tucker/Cody Caldwell (USA), while Miguel Sarabia/Jorman Osuna (MEX) will take on their compatriots Ines Vargas/Gabriel Cruz (MEX), promising an exciting conclusion to the tournament.

In the quarterfinals, Miguel Sarabia and Jorman Osuna of Mexico secured their spot in the semifinals with a dominant 2-0 victory over Guatemala’s Luis García and Edgar Maldonado, with scores 21-12 and 21-11. Their Mexican compatriots, Ines Vargas and Gabriel Cruz, also advanced after defeating Costa Rica’s Stanley Grant Brown and Julián Araya 2-0 (21-19, 21-14), leaving the hosts without representation in the semifinals.

The USA duo of Silila Tucker and Cody Caldwell earned their semifinal berth with a 2-0 (21-17, 21-12) win against the Dominicans Francisco De Jesús and Rolvin Maldonado. Finally, in a closely contested quarterfinal between the two U.S. Virgin Islands teams, Tyler Penberthy and Garrett Bucklin edged out Devin Van Siclen and William Clements 2-0 (22-20, 21-10).

Pool-play concluded earlier in the day, with Miguel Sarabia and Jorman Osuna of Mexico dominated Lucero/Penagos 2-0 (21-6, 21-4) to top Pool A. De Jesús/Maldonado secured second place in the pool after a hard-fought 2-0 (21-19, 21-18) victory over Canada’s De Greeff/Rivest.

Tucker and Caldwell of the USA finished first in Pool B with a commanding 2-0 (21-12, 21-7) win over Guatemala’s Maldonado/García, who settled for second place.

In Pool C, Tyler Penberthy and Garrett Bucklin (ISV) claimed the top spot with a 2-0 (21-14, 21-14) win against Nicaragua’s Lopez/Lopez. Mexico’s Lares/Cruz secured second place with a 2-0 (21-13, 21-10) victory over Alleyne/Rice of Barbados.

Finally, in Pool D, Costa Rica’s Stanley Grant Brown and Julián Araya topped the standings after defeating Mejía/Vargas of El Salvador 2-0 (21-18, 21-18). Clements/Van Siclen (ISV) took second place with a 2-0 (21-16, 21-11) win over Tucker/Hamilton of Bermuda.

MEN’S RESULTS

Quarterfinals: Sarabia /OSUNA (MEX)- Maldonado/Garcia (GUA) 2-0 (21-12, 21-11); Lares/Cruz (MEX) -Stanley/Araya (CRC) 2-0 (21-19/21-14); Bucklin/Penberthy (ISV)- Clements vs. Van Sicle (ISV) 2-0 (22-20/21-10); Tucker/Caldwell (USA)- De Jesús/MALDONADO (DOM) 2-0 (21-17/21-12)

Classif. 9/12: Lopez/Lopez NCA - Delgado/Delgado CRC; de Greeff/Rivest CAN- MEJIA/Vargas ESA 2-0 (21-16, 21-12)

Classif. 13/16: Alleyne/Rice BAR- Bristol/Pencheon SKN 2-0 (21-12, 21-14); Lucero/Penagos GUA-; Tucker/Hamilton VER 2-1 (21-15, 20-22, 15-10)

POOL-PLAY GRUPO A De Jesus/Maldonado (DOM)-de Greeff/Rivest (CAN) 2-0 (21-19/21-18); Sarabia/Osuna (MEX)-Lucero/Penagos (GUA) 2-0 (21-6, 21-7) GRUPO B Delgado/Delgado (CRC) – Bristol/Pencheon (SKN) 2-0 (21-16/21-14); Tucker/Caldwell (USA) - Maldonado/García (GUA) 2-0 (21-12/21-07) GRUPO C Lares/Cruz (MEX) -Allen/Reece (BAR) 2-0 (21-13/21-10); Bucklin/Penherty (ISV)-Lopez/Lopez (NCA) 2-0 (21-14/21-14) GRUPO D Stanley/Ayara (CRC)-Mejía/Vargas (ESA)  2-0 (21-18, 21-18) ; Clements vs. Van Sicle (ISV)-Tucker/Hamilton (BER) 2-0 (21-16/21-11)