PR qualifies for final, secures first medal in a NORCECA Final Six

Puerto Rico was to make its first appearance in the gold medal match of the NORCECA Men’s Final Six on Sunday night.

By THE STAR STAFF

Puerto Rico defeated the Dominican Republic in an epic five-set battle (25-27, 32-30, 31-33, 25-22 and 15-11) on Saturday to secure a spot in the NORCECA Men’s Final Six championship match at Juan “Pachín” Vicéns Auditorium in Ponce.

Puerto Rico was to face defending champion the United States in the gold medal match on Sunday night, while the Dominican Republic was to face Mexico for the bronze late in the afternoon.

It was to be Puerto Rico’s first appearance in the gold medal match of the tournament.

Puerto Rico trailed 1-2 in the match, but prevailed 25-22 in the fourth set to force a fifth set.

The hosts took a 3-0 lead in the tiebreak and held the lead midway through the set (8-4). Puerto Rico remained focused after the Dominicans closed the gap to 10-9 and closed out the match with a 15-11 victory.

Puerto Rico led in attacks (74-71) and serves (10-2), but the Dominican Republic was more effective in blocks (14-10) and committed fewer unforced errors (34) than Puerto Rico (36).

Opposite player Jamal Ellis led Puerto Rico’s offense with 30 points (25 kills, 2 blocks and 3 aces) and a 62% attacking success rate, followed by hitter Pedro Molina with 28 points.

Opposite player Adrián Figueroa of the Dominican Republic had a match-high 32 points (28 kills, 3 blocks, and 1 ace) and a 56% attacking success rate, while Luis Reinoso added 21 points.

“It was a long match. The Dominican Republic came out with a very clear offense. We had difficulty stopping their attackers, but we managed to come back and close out the match,” Puerto Rico middle blocker Jonathan Rodriguez said. “We showed great perseverance, despite the long rallies that prevented us from winning the point, but we managed to recover and win in the fifth set. Tomorrow we must practice, improve our blocking, and impose our serves. We must prepare well to beat the United States.”

Ellis added: “We knew the Dominican Republic was an opponent that always gives us a fight, and we knew we couldn’t let our guard down.”

“In the end, we did what was necessary to close out the sets, keeping our heads high and united,” he said. “Now we need to rest and come back focused and ready for tomorrow’s match against the United States.”