Puerto Rico qualifies to U19 PanAm Cup semifinals 

MONTERREY, Mexico, March 23, 2017 - Puerto Rico won against Costa Rica in three sets by scores of 25-14, 27-25 and 25-20 in one hour and 23 minutes of game time. Pedro Molina scored 20 points for Puerto Rico, while Gabriel Garcia registered 16.

For Costa Rica, captain Jose Andres Ortiz tallied 9. Puerto Rico overcame its Central American rivals 7-3 in aces and 9-6 in blocks.

Captain of Puerto Rico, Gabriel Garcia: “I feel super great, super happy. My team has the experience of qualifying to a World Championship. We achieved a victory and from no won we have to achieve another one in semifinals, the finals and take that win home.”

Captain of Costa Rica, José Andrés Ortiz: “It was a nice experience. We wanted a positive result. Unfortunately, we could not win that set. A good match and we gave our best.”

Coach of Puerto Rico, Juan Albarran: “We achieved our first goal, that was to be in semifinals and with this victory we are also in the World Championship, that was our first step. Now we have to prepare against Chile.”

Coach of Costa Rica, Juan Acuña: “Despite the difference with Puerto Rico in experience and height, we fought hard and were too close to win a set. That is not an easy thing, unfortunately we fell short to qualify to the world championship, but this is a motivation to keep working.”