Virgen and Ontiveros win their fourth title in 2013

MAZATLAN, Mexico, September 15, 2013 – Mexicans Juan Virgen and Lombardo Ontiveros recorded their fourth gold medal of the year winning the Mazatlan Beach Volleyball Tournament, the sixth leg of the 2013 NORCECA Circuit on Sunday.

Virgen and Ontiveros of Mexico-A scored a 2-1 (21-18, 15-21, 15-13) victory over Grant O’Gorman and Sam Pedlow of Canada-A as both teams had to battle an intense hot weather and high humidity conditions.

It was the 20th gold medal and 26th overall for Virgen, the highest totals in both categories in the history of the NORCECA Circuit.

“I always dreamed about winning a gold medal at home and we were able to play high quality beach volleyball during the weekend,” Virgen said after the award ceremony. “I want to dedicate this victory to my family who made the trip to be here in Mazatlan.”

Virgen owns the record for most victories in a season with five in 2010 playing with Aldo Miramontes as a partner and hopes to break his own mark. This year the pair also succeeded in Dominican Republic, Guatemala and Cuba.

“We have five more tournaments this year, so a new record is within our reach,” Virgen added. “We go to Puerto Rico on Wednesday looking forward to add another victory.”

In the semifinals, Virgen and Ontiveros benefitted of a default (21-0, 21-0) against Victor Rivera and Erik Haddock of Puerto Rico-B due to illness of Rivera. O’Gorman and Pedlow defeated Roberto Rodriguez and Hector Soto of Puerto Rico-A 2-0 (22-20, 21-19).

Rodriguez and Soto won the bronze medal when their compatriot Rivera was unable to play and didn’t show up.

Men’s Sunday Results

Positions 9-16: USA-A d NCA 2-0 (21-14, 21-16), ISV d CRC 2-0 (21-16, 21-19), USA-A d ISV 2-0 (21-14, 21-12). Semifinals: MEX-A d PUR-B 2-0 (21-0, 21-0), CAN-A d PUR-A 2-0 (22-20, 21-19). Bronze Medal Match: PUR-A d PUR-B 2-0 (21-0, 21-0). Gold Medal Match: MEX-A d CAN-A 2-1 (21-18, 15-21, 15-13).

Final Positions: 1. Mexico-A, 2. Canada-A,   3. Puerto Rico-A, 4. Puerto Rico-B, 5. Canada-B, 6. United States-B, 7. México-B, 8. México-C, 9. United States-A, 10. U.S. Virgin Islands, 11. Costa Rica, 12. Nicaragua, 13. El Salvador, 14. Guatemala, 15. Trinidad & Tobago, 16. St Lucia.