Valdez leads Dominicans to victory over Puerto Rico

LIMA, Peru, May 7, 2019 - The Manuel Bonilla Coliseum in Miraflores was heated on Tuesday night, with the intense victory that the Dominican Republic team got against Puerto Rico in a tie-break (20-25, 25-19, 25-23, 18-25, 15-9) valid for Serie A of the IV U21 Pan American Cup.

The top Dominican attacker, Bayron Valdez, was in charge of leading his team to victory by scoring a tournament-high 26 units; and center Dawilin Méndez finished with 11 points.

On the Puerto Rico side, offensive work was well distributed as Willy Varela and Carlos Negron finished with 20 and 16 points respectively; followed by the attackers Pedro Molina and Johan Leon with 13 units each.

Despite the result against, Puerto Rico was superior in all the lines: attack (50-56), block (11-13), (3-4). Dominican reduced its unforced errors to 28, while its rival recorded 39.

Bayron Valdez, Dominican captain: Although we could not advance to the next round, I am happy for the work that each of my teammates did. This victory motivates us for what is coming and we will continue fighting to improve match by match.

Willy Varela, Puerto Rico center: We strive to win, but could not. However, the victory against the United States gives us the advantage to be able to advance and we will continue giving the maximum effort for what is coming.

Dominican Republic closes the first stage with 3 points for today's victory in five sets. While Puerto Rico, manages to advance to the next round with 6 points accumulated, 4 in the victory against the USA and 2, for the sets drawn to the Dominicans.