Canada and Cuba will meet with a place at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games at stake after both teams swept their NORCECA qualification semifinals.
Cuba advanced with a 3-0 victory over the Dominican Republic, winning 32-30, 25-19, 25-15 at the Avenir Centre.
The Dominican Republic pushed Cuba to the limit in the opening set and had six opportunities to close it out. Cuba survived the pressure before taking control of the match, finishing with advantages of 51-35 in attacks and 16-7 in blocks.
Captain Miguel Lopez led Cuba with 23 points, while Marlon Yant added 14 and Robertlandy Simon scored 10. David Fiel recorded a match-high five blocks. Adrian Figueroa paced the Dominican Republic with 16 points, including 11 in the opening set, while Moises Ortiz contributed 10.
Host Canada booked their place in the final with a convincing 3-0 win over Mexico.
The Canadians recovered from a 14-9 deficit in the first set to win it 25-21 before pulling away for 25-18 and 25-13 victories in the next two sets. Canada dominated the key statistical categories, leading 42-31 in attacks, 8-0 in blocks and 8-2 in aces.
Eric Loeppky was the match’s leading scorer with 17 points, followed by Sharone Vernon-Evans with 13. Jackson Howe and Stephen Maar contributed 10 apiece, while Fynn McCarthy delivered four of Canada’s eight aces.
Canada and Cuba will meet at 7 p.m. Atlantic Time on Saturday for the Olympic berth. The Dominican Republic and Mexico will play for bronze at 4:30 p.m.
Results
Cuba def. Dominican Republic 3-0 (32-30, 25-19, 25-15)
Canada def. Mexico 3-0 (25-21, 25-18, 25-13)
Bronze medal: Dominican Republic vs. Mexico
Final: Canada vs. Cuba