Argentina will play quarterfinals at Men’s Pan Am Cup

COLIMA, Mexico, June 18, 2019. - Argentina swept Canada 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-21) advancing to the quarterfinals at the fourteenth Men’s Pan American Cup at the Multifunctional Auditorium of Colima, Mexico.

Argentina struggled to close against Canada’s pressure, who wanted to keep the actions further than three sets. Argentina finishes second place in pool A with 2-1 record and is schedule to play in Wednesday’s quarterfinals. Canada, on the other side, plays in placing matches the rest of the tournament.

Argentina held a slim 38-37 margin in attacks and in blocks (4-3) as well. Canada dominated in serves with 4-2 margin. Argentina limited their errors to 17 and scored on a sizeable 31 opponent errors.

Outside hitter Nicolas Bruno of Argentina was the only player with double-figures, scoring 11 points all on kills, in addition, middle blocker Joaquin Gallego, opposite German Johansen and outside hitter Nicolas Lazo added 8 points apiece. Opposite Blake Scheerhoorn led Canada with 9 points.

Comments:

Nicolás Lazo, outside hitter Argentina: “The whole match was intense, we dominated well but in the end it was hard. What’s important is that we won to move into the next round and what’s even better that it was 3-0. We must try to start strong from the beginning”.

Danny Demyanenko, captain Canada: “Once again we came on the wrong end. I definitely think it was a little bit of a tentative start, we had a lot of errors earlier on in the game and we struggled to have some aggressive serving. It was a close match towards the end, pushing to play another set”.

Fabian Muraco, coach Argentina: “Canada risked more at the end, that’s why the closing was tough and we got in complications. They are a team with tough blocking and spiking, if they get you in a bad day they could surprise and easily take advantage. My team is developing and we expect to continue to grow”.

John Barrett, coach Canada: “It’s very difficult to compete with very experienced players with a young team, it comes down to mistakes, which we committed a lot as a team and Argentina didn’t. We got close and then we aren’t able to continue to play at a certain level; it’s a process that takes time, we have players that are growing”.