Argentina and Puerto Rico completed the semifinal line-up at the 13th Pan American Volleyball Cup when quarterfinal matches took place at the Juan De La Barrera Gymnasium, Mexico City, Mexico on Wednesday night.
In the feature match, Argentina defeated Cuba 25-23, 23-25, 25-20, 25-19 to set up a semifinal clash with two-time winners Dominican Republic, last night ahead of today's final day of competition.
Leticia Boscacci and Josefina Fernandez each recorded 18 points in the victory while Sol Piccolo and Emilce Sosa contributed 10 points apiece for Argentina. Damara Lescay was the best scorer for Cuba with 16 points, followed by Alena Orta and Melissa Vargas each with 13 tallies. Sulian Matienzo added 11 in the losing effort.
The Argentines also held the advantage in attacks (58-51) and gave away 21 points with unforced errors compared to 28 by the losers.
In the opening semifinal, Puerto Rico stormed past Canada 25-17, 25-16, 30-28, to reach a third semifinal in team history after doing so in 2008 and 2009.
Aury Cruz scored 20 points to pace Puerto Rico, including three blocks and two aces, while Vanessa Velez added 16. Alexandra Oquendo and Lynda Morales each chipped in nine tallies.
Lisa Barclay, Brittney Page and Kyla Richey finished with 12, 11 and nine points, respectively, in the losing cause.
At Carlos Martinez Balmori Multipost Hall of the Autonomous University of Hidalgo, Colombia stunned Peru 25-21, 25-23, 25-20 to secure a spot in next year's FIVB World Grand Prix for the first time ever and will be played for the seventh position against host Mexico last.
In a contest that opens the history of head-to-head matches between the two South Americans, the Colombians were more effective in attacks and serves with a good offence by Yeisy Soto, who had a match/high 14 points, followed by Amanda Coneo (13) and Maria Margarita Martinez (12).
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