Puerto Rico Advances to Semifinals After Defeating Nicaragua 

MANAGUA, Nicaragua, November 19, 2025.– Puerto Rico secured first place in Pool A and a spot in the semifinals after defeating Nicaragua 3-0 (25-17, 25-11, 25-12) at the NORCECA U17 Boys’ Continental Championship. 

The reigning champion, Puerto Rico, closed the pool phase with a perfect 3-0 record and now awaits its semifinal opponent, advancing alongside the United States, the undefeated leader of Pool B. 

Nicaragua finished fourth in Pool A and will play on Saturday against one of the losers from Friday’s quarterfinals: Mexico vs. Barbados at 4:00 p.m. and Costa Rica vs. Cuba at 6:00 p.m. The winners of those matches will move on to the semifinals. 

Puerto Rico dominated in attacking 33-18, blocking 6-1, and serving 6-1, capitalizing on the 30 errors committed by their opponents while making 20 of their own. Carlos Cruz was Puerto Rico’s top scorer with 9 points, followed by Gabriel Soto with 7. For Nicaragua, Anthony Caballero recorded 6 points. 

Hernán Torres, Puerto Rico’s head coach: “We came in with the mindset of securing first place in the group. This victory became a bit easier for us, which allowed us to rest our starting players. I think the boys are working very well and showing that they could be future starters, and that helps us build more team play. Right now, we need to improve a few details because, as I’ve said, my mission is to face the United States, but first we’ll take on the semifinal and see what happens.” 

Andrés Alvarado, Nicaragua’s captain: “For us, this is about gaining experience, since we are a new team. The vast majority are participating in the national team for the first time, and this helps our development. We feel we’ve played well even if the results weren’t what we wanted. You always gain experience. Playing here in this gym with the crowd supporting us fills us with pride; we feel backed, and we know we have fans cheering for us.”