Mexico wins gold, PR takes silver at NORCECA Final Four in Ponce

Team Puerto Rico led by four points in the fifth set of Sunday’s gold medal match of the NORCECA Women’s Final Four at Salvador Dijols Coliseum in Ponce before Mexico rallied to win.

By THE STAR STAFF

The Puerto Rican national team went the distance before falling to Mexico in Sunday’s gold medal match at the 2026 NORCECA Women’s Final Four at Salvador Dijols Coliseum in Ponce.

The three-day tournament concluded with a five-set match between two teams that refused to back down. 

The set scores were 26-28, 25-19, 25-21, 19-25 and 15-11.

A 5th-set turnaround

Team Puerto Rico took a 10-6 lead in the deciding set, fueled by its defense and the energy of the home crowd. However, Mexico locked in when it counted most. Opposite hitter Sofía Maldonado Díaz scored five consecutive points from Zone 2, turning the score around and completely shifting the dynamic of the match.

Two attacking errors by Puerto Rico opened the door for Mexico to close the show, and the match ended with an ace by Grecia Esther Castro López.

Statistically, Mexico prevailed in attacks (68-47), blocks (9-7) and service aces (9-6), reflecting its aggressive play at key junctures.

Maldonado Díaz led the offense with 37 points, the highest total recorded in the entire tournament. She was supported by Samantha Bricio with 17 points and Uxue Guereca with 15.

Decelise Champion was the top scorer for Puerto Rico with 24 points, followed by Adriana Rodríguez with 11.

Puerto Rico players earn top honors in 3 categories

The tournament concluded with the recognition of outstanding players for their performances, with Puerto Rico netting several key individual honors: Champion was the event’s Top Scorer and was also named Second Best Spiker, Rodríguez was named Best Middle Blocker and Wilmarie Rivera took the award for Best Setter.

Mexico earned its share of honors, led by Maldonado Díaz, who was named Most Valuable Player following her dominant performance in the final. Her teammate Amaya Guereca was recognized as Best Spiker, while Bricio won the award for Best Receiver.

Cuba earned three awards: Jessica Aguilera (Second Best Middle Blocker), Yalain Regla de la Peña (Best Opposite), and Evilania Martínez (Best Server).

Costa Rica rounded out the list with a double honor for Rashanny Solano, who was named Best Defender and Best Libero.

Puerto Rico’s Decelise Champion was the tournament’s Top Scorer and was also named Second Best Spiker.