MORELOS, Mexico, August 15, 2026.- Puerto Rico will go in search of its first Men’s Pan American Cup title after defeating Canada 3-1 (25-18, 25-23, 17-25, 25-20) in the semifinals of the 19th edition of the tournament, being held at Poliforum 2 of the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos (UAEM).
Puerto Rico advanced to the Pan American Cup final for the third time in the history of the event and for the first time since 2017. The Puerto Ricans won the silver medal in their two previous finals, in 2007 against Mexico and in 2017 against Argentina, and they also have two bronze medals.
The victory had a sense of revenge for Puerto Rico, which had fallen to Canada in four sets during the preliminary round.
Puerto Rico took control from the first set to win 25-18 but had to come from behind in the second after trailing by five points. Down the stretch, Pedro Molina was key from the service line: Puerto Rico tied the score 22-22 and moved ahead 23-22 with an ace by Molina. Pelegrín Vargas made it 24-23 with a kill, and a Canadian error closed the set 25-23.
Canada responded decisively in the third, 25-17, to extend the match. In the fourth, Puerto Rico recovered from an early deficit and carried a 20-18 lead into the closing stretch. A block by Pedro Molina extended the margin, and a kill by Ismael Alomar put the Puerto Ricans ahead 24-19 before a Canadian service error sealed the 25-20 victory and the berth in the final.
The difference came in unforced errors. Puerto Rico scored 38 points off Canadian errors while conceding 23. Canada held a 52-43 advantage in attacks, while both teams finished with eight blocks and three service points.
Pedro Molina led Puerto Rico and was the top scorer in the match with 14 points, followed by Klistan Lawrence with 13, Eliel Salva with 12 and Pelegrín Vargas with 10.
For Canada, Erik Siksna and Kale Orr scored 12 points each, while Arthur Szwarc added 11.
“Canada is a good team, super organized, and we came into this match really wanting to beat them because in the preliminary round they defeated us pretty comfortably. We had that in mind, we prepared well, we stayed focused and, thank God, we came away with the victory. Now in the final, we have to work one point at a time, one set at a time, and whatever God wills,” said Pedro Molina of Puerto Rico.
“The difference between this match and the first time we faced each other is that this was a playoff, it was do or die. Obviously, our goal was to advance to the final. Like last year, we lost again in the semifinal, and we wanted a kind of revenge. We knew it wouldn’t be easy to face Puerto Rico; it’s very difficult to play the same opponent twice. They came out punching hard from the start. Now we have 24 hours to think about this match and be ready to play for the bronze medal,” said Canada’s libero Darian Picklyk.
Canada, Pan American Cup champion in 2023 and 2024 and bronze medalist in 2025, will once again play for third place. Its record also includes three silver medals and four bronze medals.
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