Leading names assert authority on opening day

by Ian Marshall, Editor

Two groups in the junior boys’ team event, selecting from Pedro Cabrera, Mariano Lockward, Hiram Morillo and Abit Tajeda, the Dominican Republic secured first position in and thus reserved a semi-final place. It was the same for Puerto Rico, who chose from Christian Malave, José Navedo, Gabriel Perez and Jadriel Villaneuva; top spot assured, thus progress to the penultimate round.

The question posed is as to who will gain the respective runners up spots and thus advance. In the respective concluding group stage fixtures Barbados represented by Rashon Goddard, Tim Riley and Marcus Smith meet Jamaica’s Tyrese Nembhard, Alessio Tulloch and Jamar Tulloch; Trinidad and Tobago’s Derron Douglas, Abraham Francis and N’Kosi Rouse oppose the French Guiana outfit formed by Kevin Kueny, Melvin Quemon and Thomas Soroman.

Similarly, in a group organized event, the Dominican Republic who selected from Rafael Cabrera, Eduardo Darley, Cristopher Rodriguez and Ramon Vila ended the day without defeat, a situation that applied also to Puerto Rico’s Jan Gonzalez, Pablo Figueroa and Derek Valentin.

A 3-1 defeat for St Lucia again the Dominican Republic in the cadet boys’ team event but De Andre Calderon excelled. In the opening match he beat Rafael Cabrera (12-10, 11-9, 9-11, 11-13, 11-9) (Photo: coutesy of Caribbean Junior and Cadet Championships)

Meanwhile, when the two leading contenders for honours clashed, it was honours even.

In the junior girls’ team competition, the Dominican Republic represented by Esmerlyn Castro, Dahyana Rojas and Rosa Torres recorded a 3-0 win in opposition to the Puerto Rican trio formed by Daymar Castro, Edmarie Leon and Gabriella Vazquez.

Conversely, in the cadet girls’ team event it was the reverse scenario. Puerto Rico’s Yoarilis Figueroa, Kristal Melendez and Zulnamy Soto showed no charity when facing the Dominican Republic’s Dileisy de la Cruz, Shary Muñoz and Cinthya Peña; a most impressive 3-0 margin of victory was recorded.