Puerto Rico holds off Barbados at U21 Pan Am Cup

Calgary, Aug. 08, 2025:  Puerto Rico held off a late challenge from Barbados to win its second match of the 2025 NORCECA U21 Men’s Pan American Cup at the 7 Chiefs Sportsplex & Chief Jim Starlight Centre near Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

The final score was Puerto Rico 3-0 (25-16, 25-18, 25-23) over Barbados. Puerto Rico led in attack points (44-32), and aces (7-2).  Barbados was effective in their block with seven compared with four points for Puerto Rico.  Barbados made more errors (20-16).

Puerto Rican middle blocker Eliel David Salva led scoring with 16 points (14 attack points, a block and an ace).

Outside hitter Nkoya Williams-Bailey and opposite Isaiah Francis, both of Barbados, were next on the score sheet with 11 points apiece.

Puerto Rico’s team captain Janluar Figueroa commented that the team will need to improve before playing USA tomorrow: “I think we can play better than we did today. Tomorrow we will play USA and need to improve on our passing and to stay more focused.”

Head coach of Barbados, John Stuart, was pleased to see his team perform better as the match progressed: “I need the guys to play how they played that last set from the start of the match. Let’s not get down 2-0 and start playing better. But I do see a vast improvement from the beginning of the tournament. I am impressed with the guys.”