Varadero, Cuba, June 10, 2012 – Cuba’s luxury couple, formed by Karel Piña and Sergio Gonzalez, won the men’s title of the sixth phase of NORCECA Circuit of beach volleyball to repeat the triumph of the stop that took place in Chiapas, Mexico.The silver medalists, also in the previous stage in Toluca, Mexico, dispatched their countrymen Yaismel Borrell and Yadrián Escobar of Cuba-2 (21-14, 21-18). The bronze medal went to Nicholas Del Bianco and Benjamin Chow of Canada-1 who defeated Julian Bissette and Joseph Clercent of St. Lucia 21-12, 21-12.
“We are delighted with this result, because in our three appearances this season we got on the podium,” said Karel while relaxing his muscles in the pool adjacent to the courts at the Hotel Club Kawama.
Meanwhile, coach Leonides Regüeiferos was positive on the fact that his two pairs reached the final —undefeated the champions and the other pair with a couple of losses—, but at the expense of their own colleagues.
“This healthy competition helps to prepare for the battle for the ticket that will grant the Olympic Qualification in Mazatlan next 21 to 23,” he said.
Karel and Sergio, medalists in previous circuits of NORCECA, arrived into the gold medal match by defeating Nicholas Del Bianco and Benjamin Chow of Canada-1 (21-12, 22-20) in the semifinals, while Yaismel and Yadrián downed Julián Bissette and Josep Clercent of St. Lucia 21-11 and 21-16.
Overall men’s results: CRC 2 d. CAN 1 (21-17, 21-17), CUB 2 d. PAN (21-12, 21-12), CRC 1 d. CAY (21-15, 21-15), LCA d. FSM (21-11, 17-21, 15-11), CUB 1 d. ARU 2 (21-9, 21-10), ARU 1 d. ISV (21-17, 18-21, 15-10), CAN 2 d. ESA (21-17, 21-14), CAN 1 d. PAN (21-14, 21-16), NCA d. HON (21-9, 25-23), CUB 2 d. GUA (21-15, 21-16), ISV d. ARU 2 (21-23, 21-16, 15-9), CAN 1 d. CAY (21-15, 21-14), ESA d. FSM (21-8, 21-11), GUA d. HON (24-26, 21-14, 15-11), CRC 2 d. CRC 1 (12-21, 21-11, 15-10), LCA d. CAN 2 (21-18, 15-21, 15-12), CUB d. ARU 1 (21-10, 21-13), CUB 2 d. NCA (21-11, 21-7), CAN 2 d. GUA (21-12, 21-9), ISV d. CRC 1 (18-21, 21-11, 15-12), ESA d. NCA (16-21, 21-17, 15-17), CAN 1 d. ARU 1 (21-17, 20-22, 15-10), LCA d. CRC 2 (21-16, 21-16), CUB 1 d. CUB 2 (21-14, 21-14), CAN 1 d. ESA (21-15, 21-16), CAN 2 d ISV (21-14, 21-12), CAN 1 d. CRC 2 (21-14, 21-14), CUB 2 d. CAN 2 (21-14, 21-14). Semifinals: CUB 2 d. LCA (21-11, 21-16), CUB 1 d. CAN 1 (21-12, 22-20), Bronze Medal Match: CAN 1 d. LCA (21-12, 21-12)
Gold Medal Match: CUB 1 d. CUB 2 (21-14, 21-18)
Men’s final positions: 1. CUB-1, 2. CUB-2, 3. CAN-1, 4. LCA, 5. CAN-2, 6 CRC-2, 7. ISV, 8. ESA, 9. CRC 1, 10. NCA, 11. ARU-1, 12. GUA, 13. HON, 14.ARU-2, 15. FSM, 16. CAY, 17. PAN.