Boca Chica, April 20, 2011 – Canada qualified as the top men’s team of NORCECA Central Zone a took a step closer to the London 2012 Olympic Games when Martin Reader and Chaim Schalk closed the competition with a golden set 15-13 win over Cuba’s Yaimel Borrell and Yadrian Escobar on Wednesday.

As the second team for Canada, Reader/Schalk first defeated Karell Piña/Javier Jimenez of Cuba-A 24-22, 21-19 and followed it up with a 21-15, 21-18 against Borrell/Escobar. Christian Redmann/Ben Saxton of Canada-A lost their two matches 21-15, 28-26 to Borrell/Escobar and 19-21, 22-20, 15-12 to Piña/Jimenez.

Third place went to Mexico with the combined team of Ulises Ontiveros and Juan Virgen who defeated Roberto Rodriguez/Christian Underwood of Puerto Rico 15-13.

All four teams now qualify for the final phase of the continental event to be held in 2012 with the winner earning a ticket to the London Games.

Men’s results

Canada 3, Cuba 2
CUB-B d. CAN-A (21-15, 28-26)
CAN-B d- CUB-A (24-22, 21-19)
CUB-A d. CAN-A (19-21, 22-20, 15-12)
CAN-B d. CUB-B (21-15, 21-18)
Golden set: CAN-B d. CUB-B (15-13)

Mexico 3, United States 2
USA-A d. MEX-B (12-21, 24-22, 15-9)
MEX-B d. USA-B (21-0, 21-0)
MEX-A d. USA-B (21-0, 21-0)
USA-A d. MEX-A (21-19, 15-21, 18-16)
Golden set: MEX-A d. USA-A (15-13)

Puerto Rico 3, Dominican Republic 1
DOM-A d. PUR-A (21-19, 17-21, 15-13)
PUR-B d. DOM-B (21-9, 22-20)
PUR-B d. DOM-A (21-14, 21-16)
PUR-A d. DOM-B (21-8, 21-17)

Third place: MEX d. PUR-A (15-13)

Final positions: 1. Canada, 2. Cuba, 3. Mexico, 4. Puerto Rico, 5. Dominican Republic, 6. United States