Honduras recovers from first set to beat Panama

MANAGUA, Nicaragua, December 14, 2017.- Honduras recovered from first set 3-1 (21-25, 25-18, 27-25, 25-15) to beat Panama on day five of the men’s Volleyball tournament of the XI Central American Games Managua 2017 in Alexis Argüello sport complex.

Defending champion Honduras pulled off their second victory of the event with significant spiking advantage 50-35 to survive in the highly-competitive men’s division of the Games. Panama had an overall erratic performance while Honduras blocking took them by surprise.

Honduras stands with 2-2 win-loss record and 9 points, while Panama has 1-4 and 8 points.

Opposite German Moreira of Honduras scored 20 points on 17 kills and 3 aces, joined by middle blocker Watler Brown with 18 tallies. Oswald Marshall and Donaldo Ureña registered 17 and 13 points respectively, took care of Panama’s offense.

On day six, Honduras (2-2) will face Belize (0-3) and Panama (1-4) meets with El Salvador (4-0).

Captain of Honduras Luis Membreño: “Our team effort was crucial; we were focused on their height, good blocking and combination of older players with younger ones, it wasn’t easy. After losing set one, our defense waited for their attack from the sides, because they are slower, and this worked well. Our serves were effective. The combination of results puts things interesting and more difficult, but we will keep on battling strong in the two matches we have left”.

Setter Jose Luis Cunningham: “This was another intense match for Panama. Unfortunately we weren’t prepared to play morning sessions and we performed badly. We were really focused in the first set. This is my last tournament, I’ve represented Panama for 23 years and it’s time to leave so the new generation can take the responsibility of representing Panama and help us back into the first places of the area”.