Cuba, who were unbeaten in their three pool matches and favourites to retain their crown, slumped out of the competition, winning just the second set in a 16-25, 25-19, 24-26, 19-31 defeat.

For Puerto Rico, opposite Gabriel García top scored with 18 points on 15 kills, two blocks and one ace.

Outside hitters Pedro Molina and Pelegrin Vargas contributed 11 and 10 points respectively.

Cuban Jesús Herrera scored a match-high of 24 points, but it was his team's unforced errors - 44 in total, 23 more than their opponents - that were to be their downfall.

"It was difficult to overcome Cuba’s strength, on several occasions we came from behind but our patience was worth it, we waited to score one point at a time confident of our skills," said Puerto Rico caption Arturo Iglesias.

In the other semi-final, Canada dispatched hosts Mexico in three sets, winning 25-22, 25-17, 25-18.

Middle blocker Danny Demyanenko led Canada with 11 points and outside hitter Brandon Koppers followed with 10 points; Mathias Elser topped in aces with 6 points.

The Dominican Republic beat Trinidad and Tobago 25-19, 25-20, 25-22 to set up a fifth-place playoff against the United States, who came from one set down to beat Guatemala  23-25, 25-22, 25,-19, 33-31.

The Championship concludes tomorrow as Canada aim to win their second NORCECA Continental Championship after their victory in 2015, also in Mexico.

Puerto Rico have never won the competition before.

The US will play the Dominican Republic and Guatemala face Trinidad and Tobago.