USA, Cuba and Mexico Dominate to Reach Güibia Semifinals

GÜIBIA, Dominican Republic, May 9, 2026. – The United States, Cuba and Mexico delivered dominant performances to book their spots in the semifinals of the second stage of the NORCECA 2026 Beach Volleyball Tour at Güibia Beach in the Dominican Republic.

Americans Charles Siragusa/Rowdy Lennon advanced after a battled 2-0 (21-17, 29-27) victory over Puerto Rico’s Cristian Encarnación/José Pacheco in the quarterfinals. They will face Cuba’s Damián Gómez/Eblis Veranes, who defeated El Salvador’s Gabriel Vargas/Rafael Vargas 2-0 (21-19, 21-13).

Mexico will be represented by two pairs in the semifinals. Miguel Sarabia/Jorman Osuna earned their spot with a 2-0 (21-12, 21-14) win over Costa Rica’s Julián Araya/Stanley Brown. They are set to meet compatriots Antonio Lares/Carlos Ayala, who overcame the Dominican duo Ramón De Jesús/Alexander Wilmore 2-0 (21-18, 21-14).

In pool play, Siragusa/Lennon topped Pool A, closing with a 2-0 (21-14, 21-15) win against Guatemala’s Maldonado/Izaguirre.

Both Mexican teams also finished first in their respective groups. Sarabia/Osuna led Pool B after defeating El Salvador’s Gabriel Vargas/Rafael Vargas 2-0 (21-15, 21-11), while Lares/Carlos Andres claimed Pool C with a 2-0 (21-14, 21-13) victory over Zendai/Rogers of St. Kitts & Nevis.

Gómez/Veranes dominated Pool D, securing first place with a commanding 2-0 (21-9, 21-3) win over Honduras’ Vigil/Serrano.

In classification matches for positions 9–12, Nicaragua’s Jefferson Cascante/Josué Meneses defeated Canada’s David Chaput/Cameron McGregor 2-0 (21-14, 21-14), while the Dominican pair Hayerling De Jesús/Oscar Martínez beat Costa Rica’s Lance Akerson/Cristhian Oporta 2-0 (21-7, 21-14).

The tournament resumes Sunday at 8:45 a.m. (local time) with placement matches and semifinals and will conclude in the afternoon with the bronze and gold medal matches.

Other results:

(USA) Charles Siragusa/Rowdy Lennon d (GUA) Edgar Maldonado/José Izaguirre 2-0 (21-14, 21-15); (NCA) Jefferson Cascante/Josué Meneses d (DOM2) Ramón De Jesús/Alexander Wilmore 2-1 (19-21, 22-20, 15-12); (MEX1) Miguel Sarabia/Jorman Osuna d (ESA) Gabriel Vargas/Rafael Vargas 2-0 (21-15, 21-11); (CRC2) Lance Akerson/Cristhian Oporta d (CAY) Jesario Ebanks/William Duty 2-0 (21-16, 21-6); (PUR) Cristian Encarnación/José Pacheco d (CAN) David Chaput/Cameron McGregor 2-0 (21-15, 21-17); (MEX2) Antonio Lares/Carlos Ayala d (SKN) Zendai Richards/Codville Rogers 2-0 (21-14, 21-13); (CRC1) Julián Araya/Stanley Grant d (DOM1) Hayerling De Jesús/Oscar Martínez 2-1 (17-21, 21-13, 15-13); (CUB) Damián Gómez/Eblis Veranes d (HON) Randall Vigil/Manuel Serrano 2-0 (21-9, 21-3).