Puerto Rico tops Costa Rica for 5th place at U17 Pan American Cup

Adrián Córdova (15) attacks at the net during Puerto Rico’s 3-1 win over Costa Rica in Sunday’s fifth-place match at the Boys’ U17 Pan American Cup volleyball tournament in Guatemala City.

By THE STAR STAFF

Puerto Rico defeated Costa Rica 3-1 (25-20, 19-25, 25-11, 25-18) to finish in fifth place at the Boys’ U17 Pan American Cup volleyball tournament at the Domo Polideportivo in Guatemala City on Sunday.

The island team made effective adjustments and executed better than its opponent during key moments of the match to conclude the tournament on a positive note.

Puerto Rico (2-3) opened with a first set characterized by well-coordinated blocking, keeping the score close until the 17th point, when it pulled away and took control of the set. Costa Rica responded in the second set, setting the pace early on and keeping Puerto Rico off-balance, which allowed the Central American side to even the match.

The third set proved to be the turning point as Puerto Rico regained its aggressive edge, established an early lead, and controlled the set with authority. In the fourth set, although more evenly played, Puerto Rico held its composure along with the lead and closed out the match.

Puerto Rico in attacks, 58-37, and blocks, 9-5, while the two teams were an even 5-5 in service points.

Individually, Puerto Rico’s Antonio Figueroa was the match’s standout offensive player with 21 points, followed by teammate Sebastián Colón with 17.

Braulio Alvarado led Costa Rica with 10 points.

“We feel pretty good. It was a long summer with a lot of training,” Puerto Rico captain Héctor Lavergne said. “We might not have gotten the result we expected in the tournament, but we worked hard, staying united and playing as a team the whole time.”