Puerto Rico defeats Canada and advances to Pan American Cup final
- The San Juan Daily Star
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
By THE STAR STAFF
MORELOS, Mexico — Puerto Rico’s Men’s National Volleyball Team responded with character and determination against Canada, defeating the Canadians 3-1 (25-18, 25-23, 17-25, 25-20) in the semifinals of the XIX Men’s Pan American Cup at the Poliforum 2 of the Autonomous University of the State of Morelos.
The victory carried special meaning for the Puerto Rican squad, which was looking to bounce back after losing to Canada during the preliminary round. Puerto Rican attacker Pedro Molina acknowledged that the team entered the match motivated to change the outcome and focused on executing its game plan point by point.
“We came in really wanting to beat them,” said Molina, who played an important role in the victory.
With the result, Puerto Rico advanced to its third Pan American Cup final and its first since 2017. The national team won silver medals in 2007 and 2017, along with two bronze medals in previous editions, and will now seek its first continental championship.
The Puerto Ricans took control from the opening set, winning 25-18. Canada responded in the second set and built a five-point lead, but Puerto Rico rallied to take the frame 25-23.
An ace by Molina gave Puerto Rico a 23-22 lead. An attack by Pelegrín Vargas and a Canadian error then completed the comeback.
Canada avoided the sweep by dominating the third set 25-17, but Puerto Rico regained its rhythm in the fourth. Holding a 20-18 advantage late in the set, a block by Molina and an attack by Ismael Alomar extended the lead to 24-19. A Canadian service error ended the match at 25-20.
Puerto Rico also capitalized on Canada’s mistakes, scoring 38 points off Canadian errors while committing 23 of its own. Canada held the advantage in attacks, 52-43, while both teams finished with eight blocks and three service points.
Molina led Puerto Rico with 14 points, followed by Klistan Lawrence with 13, Eliel Salva with 12 and Pelegrín Vargas with 10.
Ponce Will Host the Next Major Challenge
As Puerto Rico celebrates its berth in the final, the Puerto Rican Volleyball Federation is calling on fans to support the national team at its next major international event: the NORCECA Men’s Final Six, scheduled for August 23-29 at the Juan “Pachín” Vicéns Auditorium in Ponce.
The tournament carries added importance as part of Puerto Rico’s path toward the Olympic Games. It will serve as a prelude to the Senior NORCECA Continental Championship, scheduled for September 9-20 in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, a tournament that is part of the Olympic qualification process.
The national team arrives at this stage after winning gold at the Final Four and a silver medal at the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games, in addition to its recent berth in the Pan American Cup final.
The federation is calling on fans to fill the Pachín Vicéns and support the national team in a tournament that will feature six of the continent’s top national teams and represents another important step on Puerto Rico’s Olympic journey.
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