PUEBLA, Mexico, July 27, 2025 – The match started with a lot of energy from both teams, who reached their third game without winning a single set of this competition. Guatemala fought for every point, taking the third set. However, it was the Dominican Republic who won the match with a score of 4-1 (25-22, 25-20, 20-25, 25-21) and with it, the bronze medal in the NORCECA Men’s Final Four.
Guatemala was superior in attack points with 58 to the Dominican Republic’s 47, however, they committed 32 errors and the Dominican Republic’s 25. The Dominican Republic also dominated in blocks with a total of 14 attacks to Guatemala’s 2.
For the Dominican Republic, outside hitter Héctor Cruz scored the most points with a total of 15, 12 attacks, 2 blocks, and 1 service ace. Opposite Adrián Figueroa had 14 points, 12 attacks, 1 block, and 1 serve.
Guatemala veteran Andy Leonardo led his team with key points to raise the score, connecting on a total of 27 points, 24 of them on attack, 1 block, and 2 on serves. Captain Carlos López scored a total of 16 points, all on attacks, 6 of which were key to winning the third set for his team.
For the Dominican Republic, coach José Gutiérrez commented: “Our goal in coming to this tournament was to gain experience. Yesterday’s match wasn’t that great, but today I think we showed that we have players who can perform at that level in the long run, and we will look to win first place in this event in the future.
We are leaving happy and in good shape, as this group travels to Guatemala tomorrow, and we have several events coming up with the U-23 national team.”
After this result, Guatemala coach Reider Lucas shared: “It’s a hard job for us to get here. The best players are here, and we need to achieve good results to be in this tournament. We fought hard to get the opportunity, but of course, we expected more and couldn’t achieve it. We have to improve and keep working, which is what we have left.
I think the players need maturity, and the way to achieve it is to give them these experiences so they can continue playing and develop them for the future.”
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