Cubans Piña and Quesada win men’ gold in Punta Cana

Cuba’s Karell Piña and Daisel Quesada pulled a convincing 2-0 (21-16, 21-18) victory against Canada’s Garrett May and Daniel Dearing in the men’s gold medal match of the Punta Cana Beach Volleyball Tournament, the second stop of the 2015 NORCECA Circuit.

The veteran Piña combined with the young Quesada to win their six matches over the weekend –three in pool play and three in the knock-out round.

“It is a great feeling and very important to win after almost two years,” said Piña following the award ceremony. “I am comfortable playing with Daisel as new partner, a good player who represents the future of Cuban beach volleyball.

 I am not thinking about retirement but to keep playing and helping him to develop.”

In the semifinal phase, the duo of Piña and Quesada overcame a 0-1 deficit to defeat Mark Burik and Curt Toppel of United States 2-1 (16-21, 21-15, 15-7) while May and Dearing beat Honduras’ Mercuri Miller and Wilfredo Vega 2-0 (21-15, 21-10).

Burik and Toppel claimed the bronze medal with a 2-0 (21-10, 21-0) over Miller and Vega when Miller was unable to start the second set due to a right leg pulled muscle.

The award ceremony took place immediately after the conclusion of the match with the participation of Cristobal Marte Hoffiz, president of NORCECA, Ramón Garcia, president of the Dominican Volleyball Federation, Ernesto Veloz, president of the organizing committee and Steve Owen, NORCECA supervisor.

Men’s Sunday Results:

Semifinals: CAN d HON 2-0 (21-15, 21-10), CUB d USA 2-1 (16-21, 21-15, 15-7). Bronze Medal Match: USA d HON 2-0 (21-10, 21-0). Gold Medal Match: CUB d CAN 2-0 (21-16, 21-18). Consolation Round:  TTO d PAN 2-0 (21-11, 21-7), JAM d HAI 2-1 (16-21, 21-19, 15-12), TTO d JAM 2-1 (21-10, 14-21, 15-9).