The Puerto Rico men's national volleyball team advanced to the quarterfinals of the Norceca Pre-Olympic tournament in Canada by defeating Curaçao 25-18, 25-22, and 25-23. Puerto Rico will play the loser of the match between Cuba and the United States on Monday for a spot in the semifinals. The Pre-Olympic tournament offers one spot for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The US already has a secured spot as the host country. Puerto Rico's men's volleyball team has never participated in the Olympics, and their classification for the 2028 Games looks complicated. Teams like Cuba, Canada, and Mexico have shown a higher level in the tournament.
Jair Santiago led the team with 14 points, while Pedro Molina and Pelegrín Vargas each contributed 10 positive attacks. Puerto Rico finished the preliminary stage with a 1-2 record and in third place in Group A, with losses to Mexico and Canada. The tournament features eight teams divided into two groups, with the winners advancing directly to the semifinals and the second- and third-place teams competing in the quarterfinals.