PONCE, Puerto Rico, October 12, 2025.- The United States defeated Puerto Rico in straight sets (27-25, 25-20, 25-21) to win their third tittle in a row in the NORCECA Men’s Final Six at the Juan “Pachín” Vicéns Auditorium.
This is the fifth overall medal for the United States in the NORCECA Final Six, Bronze in 2021 and 2022, and Gold in 2023, 2024, and 2025. For Puerto Rico, this marks their first-ever medal in the tournament.
The match started close, with both teams trading one-point leads. Consecutive errors from Puerto Rico gave the United States a 15-13 lead through the first set, but Puerto Rico fought back and tied the score at 20-20. It was a tight finish, but the United States prevailed 27-25.
Puerto Rico gained a slight advantage at the start of the second set (5-3), but the United States gained momentum, tied the score (7-7), and later pulled ahead by four points (12-8). The USA maintained the lead through the remainder of the set, winning 25-20.
Puerto Rico took an early lead in the third set (6-4) and built a 5-point advantage midway through the set (15-10), prompting the United States to call a timeout to regroup. The USA came from behind and tied the score at 17-17. They kept up the pressure with strong serves and won the set 25-21, earning the gold medal.
The United States outplayed Puerto Rico in attacks (35-34), blocks (8-5) and serves (8-5) and committed fewer unforced errors (22) than Puerto Rico (29).
Opposite Kyler Wade with 13 points (8 attacks, 1 block and 4 aces) and outside hitter Patrick Rogers with 12 points (11 attacks and 1 ace) led the offensive for United States. For Puerto Rico, outside hitter Pedro Molina was the top scorer with 14 points (10 attacks, 3 blocks and 1 ace) followed by opposite Jamal Ellis with 11 points.
Luka Slabe, assistant coach of the United States: “We are extremely proud of this group, we just had one practice together prior the beginning of the event and everyday we got better and better and we got pushed but we did not back down. We came out with big statement; to compete against more mature and experienced teams and we came out with a nice win.
Sebastiano Sani, captain of the United States: “It is an awesome feeling to win the gold medal. Credits to Puerto Rico, a really strong team. We just got better during the week with the limited time we got together, and it was pretty special what we did here in the last match, we did a really awesome job. Shout-out to my teammates, it was an awesome experience this weekend and can’t wait to do it again with this team.”
Jamille Torres coach of Puerto Rico: “We set a goal: to win this tournament, but we fell a little short. They hit us hard on serve, and we couldn’t get the side out. I think losing the first set cost us in the long run. It’s a process of growth, and we’re happy with what we’re doing. This medal makes me very happy, it’s our first medal in the tournament, for the program because it tells us we’re on the right path for the future.
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