USA in sole possession of third place

 

TOKYO, Japan, November 30, 2007.- The USA Men’s National Team continued to storm through the 2007 FIVB World Cup on Friday with a 25-18, 27-25, 25-19 victory over host Japan at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.

 

The win improves Team USA’s record to 7-2 and keeps it in third place. However, Bulgaria, which was tied with the United States for third, kept the pressure on by defeating previously unbeaten Russia (25-21, 23-25, 25-22, 22-25, 15-12) on Friday.

 

The top three World Cup finishers qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games. Reid Priddy led the U.S. scorers with 16 points on 12 kills and four blocks.

 

NORCECA vice champions Puerto Rico crushed Tunisia in straight sets at Komazawa Gymnasium in Tokyo on Friday.

 

The Puerto Ricans, lead well by man of the match Hector Soto and Jose Rivera, won 25-17, 25-17, 25-23 to improve to 5-4, while Tunisia dropped to 1-8. Soto led Puerto Rico with 27 points and Rivera added 13.

 

With two matches left to play, the Tunisians will be hoping for a victory against fellow strugglers Egypt while Puerto will be confident, on this form, of finishing with two more victories against Australia and Korea. They are aiming to finish as high as fourth place.

 

Brazil defeated Argentina 25-20, 25-22, 25-16 victory to improve their win-loss record to 8-1 taking the top place in the standings. Argentina, who qualified for the World Cup as South American vice champions behind Brazil, dropped to 5-4 with two matches to play.

 

Spain beat Australia 25-21, 25-19, 25-20 and Egypt defeated South Korea 21-25, 25-16, 25-19, 25-22.