Guatemala on route to retain AFECAVOL title

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador,  November 15, 2018.- Guatemala defeated Panama 3-0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-17) to remain on route to retain the Men’s Senior AFECAVOL title at the twentieth edition of the event being played at FESAVOL Gymnasium in San Salvador, El Salvador.

Defending champion Guatemala continues unbeaten with 5-0 record and 25 ranking points; Panama has 1-4 record for a total of 5 points.

Guatemala took charge of the actions from set one, but Panama’s reaction in set two was strong; they adjusted their blocking to stop Guatemala’s top hitter Andy Leonardo, keeping the score very close and tied on several occasions. Guatemala is no serious danger, managing their fifth straight set win in a row.

Guatemala led with huge 40-25 advantage in kills, a 7-5 margin in blocks and 5-2 in aces. Guatemala finished with 22 unforced errors and Panama with 23.

Opposite Andy Leonardo scored 16 points and continues to be Guatemala’s leading attacker; outside hitter Wagner Chacon contributed with 11 points and Carlos Lopez tallied 9 points. Opposite Otto Othon finished with 14 points or Panama and outside hitter Oswald Marshall joined with 9 points.

On the last day of the event, Guatemala (5-0) plays against Belize (2-3) and Panama (1-4) against El Salvador (1-3).

Guatemala’s captain, Carlo Lopez explained his team had bad rhythm “we weren’t solid, we didn’t set our rhythm like the previous matches, we were different. In the end we finished on top. We will make the necessary adjustments to have more character in tomorrow’s match against a tough team like Belize”. 

Opposite Otto Othon of Panama expressed his team is not motivated enough “we aren’t controlling receiving-attacking-passing (K1), we are failing at this. Despite the result, we gave a good performance against a highly competitive team and had their strongest player Andy under control, we almost one a set but our energy wasn’t consistent enough”.

Luis Fernando Castañeda assistant coach of Guatemala said “you don’t play the same every day, an today we our game level was low but we reached our objective. It wasn’t what we expected but the guys solved things well, now we must concentrate on tomorrow when we face Belize, who has the top scorers of the tournament; we are highly motivated to finish with another victory”.

Coach Horacio Angulo of Panama said “my team wins 4-5 points and then loses them, there’s no consistency. I made variations and they stared to work, but my team was quickly unorganized again. My outside hitters unfortunately aren’t efficient; on the contrary of my opposite who scores more than 10 points. Guatemala has strength; I thought we could have one a set. Tomorrow I’ll try to work on motivation so they can change their attitude”.