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MEXICO CITY, Mexico, May 25, 2016.- Argentina defeated Canada
3-1 (34-32, 24-26, 25-22, 25-22) in a tough clash on Wednesday
to reach the final of the XI Men’s Pan American Cup at the
Olympic Gymnasium Juan de la Barrera in Mexico City.
Argentina edged Canada in one of the most intense battles of the
tournament. Argentina won a kilometric first set in what
predicted to be a fierce challenge. The same aggressiveness in
spikes followed into the second set for the tie. Canadians lost
focus in the last set while Argentina continued pushing hard for
a five point lead which the North American team struggled to cut
short.
In numbers, Argentina held little advantage in kills (61-59) and
in blocks (13-12), Canada (2-1) in serves. Argentina benefited
from 33 errors from Canada, while committing 29.
Opposite Bruno Lima led Argentina with 19 points, on 17 spikes
and 2 blocks; outside hitter Brian Melgarejo scored 18 points,
on 16 spikes and 2 blocks; middle blocker Fabian Flores scored
17 points, on 11 spikes and a match-high 6 blocks; and outside
hitter Nicolas Lazo added 10 points, on 7 spikes, 2 blocks and 1
ace. Canada’s top scorers were outside hitter Jason Derocco with
17 points, on 14 spikes, 2 blocks and 1 ace; opposite Bradley
Gunter scored 13 points, on 11 spikes and 2 blocks; and Stephen
Maar scored 12 points.
Argentina will meet the winner of the semifinal match between
Cuba and Mexico, in the third occasion that they reached the
gold medal match.
Bruno Lima, one of the top scorers for Argentina, indicated “we
are a young team y we played relaxed, we have nothing to lose,
and the pressure wasn’t on us. Canada is a powerful team and
recovering from situations that didn’t work well is very
satisfying. This was a team effort, it doesn’t matter who scores
the most, what’s important is winning”.
Argentina’s head coach Camilo Soto said “the objective here was
to evaluate our players’ performance against senior teams and
today’s test was a hard one which they won with honors. Canada
is a physical team and I’m very pleased with the victory, my
“kids” are developing well”.
Canadian captain Brett Walsh said “it’s never fun to lose in
sports, we’re disappointed; we fought a good fight against
really good Argentinean team and we can hold our heads high”.
Coach Georges Laplante said “we didn’t follow our game plan and
my players were very tense, while Argentina has played steady
the whole tournament and we knew it was going to be a hard game
to overcome. Playing against Argentina, who as long as I’ve been
coaching have very skillful players, benefits my players who are
the future of Canada.
They kept us always in the edge”. |
