Ontiveros and Virgen new Guatemala Champions

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala, April 21, 2013. -  Mexico’s Lombardo Ontiveros and Juan Virgen are the new champions of the men’s competition at the Gatorade Guatemala Beach Volleyball Tournament, the third leg of the 2013 NORCECA Circuit.

Ontiveros/Virgen defeated Cubans Karell Piña and Sergio Gonzalez in a thrilling gold medal match, coming from behind 16-21, 21-16, 16-14. They also needed three sets to beat Puerto Ricans Roberto Rodriguez and Erick Haddock in their semifinal match 21-11, 12-21, 16-14.

It was the second consecutive victory for Ontiveros/Virgen, who won also in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic, and the third win for Virgen in Guatemala who won here with Aldo Miramontes in 2008 and 2011.

“The key today was the consistency. The top five teams in the tournament have the same level and that’s why the scores are so close,” Ontiveros said.

“Guatemala brings me good luck,” Virgen said. “We had to work hard for the gold and things turned out in our favor, we also played calmly.”

Rodriguez/Haddock of Puerto Rico edged Stafford Slick and John Mayer of USA-A 24-22, 16-21, 15-12 to win the bronze medal.

Men’s Results:

Gold: MEX d CUB 2-1 (16-21, 21-16, 16-14); Bronze: PUR-A d USA-A 2-1 (24-22, 16-21, 16-14); Semifinals: CUB d USA-A 2-0 (21-18, 21-19); MEX d. PUR-A 2-1 (21-11, 12-21, 16-14); Final Positions: 1. MEX 2. CUB 3. PUR-A 4. USA-A 5. TRI-A 6. CAN-A 7. HON 8. GUA-A 9. GUA-B 10. PUR-B 11. USA-B 12. ESA-A 13. NCA 14. DOM 15. CAY 16. GUA-C 17. TRI-B 18. CAN-B 19. ESA-B 20. BAH