The Puerto Rico men’s national table tennis team secured a bronze medal at the Central American and Caribbean Games after a hard-fought 3-2 semifinal loss to Cuba, according to tournament reporting. With the result, Puerto Rico was unable to defend the championship title won at the previous edition of the Games in San Salvador in 2023.
Semifinal Battle Against Cuba
Puerto Rico opened the semifinal tie facing an early deficit when the doubles pair of Steven Moreno and Jabdiel Torres dropped a close match to Andy Pereira and Jorge Campos by scores of 8-11, 15-13, and 10-12, according to match results. Ángel Naranjo leveled the score for Puerto Rico by defeating Adrián Pérez 3-1, posting set scores of 11-5, 5-11, 12-10, and 11-8.
Steven Moreno then pushed Puerto Rico ahead 2-1 by defeating Campos 3-1. Moreno claimed a tight 12-10 opening set, dropped the second 14-16, and bounced back to take the next two sets 11-8 and 11-7. However, Cuba responded in the fourth match as veteran Andy Pereira edged Naranjo in a grueling five-set encounter, winning 11-6, 7-11, 12-10, 9-11, and 11-7 to force a decisive fifth match.
In the final showdown, Pérez defeated Torres in straight sets—11-9, 11-4, and 11-6—to clinch the series for Cuba. Earlier in the tournament, the Puerto Rican men’s squad advanced to the semifinals following a 3-0 victory over Costa Rica in the quarterfinals.
Team Composition and Outlook
The Puerto Rican roster featured a blend of experience and fresh talent. Ángel Naranjo served as the sole returning player from the gold-medal squad that competed in San Salvador in 2023, while Enrique Ríos, Steven Moreno, and Jabdiel Torres made their debut appearances at the regional competition.
National coach Edgardo Velázquez reflected on the team’s performance following the semifinal exit. “We played a great table tennis match. I think we gave it everything on the table,” Velázquez stated regarding the squad’s effort. “It’s a bit of a bitter pill, but I know there is still tournament left and this is just beginning.”
Worth a look