Havana, October 26 (RHC) – Cubans Damián Gómez and Eblis Veranes finished as runners-up in the eighth and penultimate phase of the 2026 Norceca Beach Volleyball Circuit, held in the Dominican tourist resort of Punta Cana.
This time, the Guantánamo duo couldn’t overcome Carlos Ayala and Inés Vargas Lares as they did in the men’s final of the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo. The Mexicans climbed to the top of the podium for the sixth time this season, winning the hard-fought match 2-1 (21-19, 13-21, 15-12).
A similar fate befell their compatriots Kailín Garrido and Maykelín Drik in the women’s bronze medal match against the Mexican pair Susana Torres and Abril Flores, falling 2-1 (21-17, 18-21, 15-12) in nearly an hour.
The rivals avenged their defeat to our team in the Dominican capital during the semifinal round of that regional tournament, where the Cubans emerged victorious in three sets with a decisive 15-7 win.
Nevertheless, it was a good performance by the duo from Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba, who had already defeated Torres and Flores in their group, but still need more matches against experienced and, moreover, excellent opponents.
On Sunday, in the semifinals, the Guantánamo duo of Gómez and Veranes defeated the hosts Hayerling De Jesús and Oscar Martínez with straight scores of 21-15 and 21-13 in 33 minutes, and Ayala and Lares beat the Puerto Ricans Diego Rosich and William Rivera in a tie-break (21-19, 15-21, and 15-7).
The results of this season will determine the seven pairs in each gender who will secure their place at the continental multi-sport event.
The NORCECA Circuit’s ninth round and grand final, to be held on Juan Dolio beach in the Dominican capital from December 14-18, is a crucial event on the road to Lima 2027, as it will award double points to the competing pairs.
