Mexico collects second victory at Men’s Pan Am Cup

COLIMA, Mexico, June 17, 2019. - Mexico collects second victory defeating Peru 3-1 (25-15, 28-26, 21-25, 25-22) at the fourteenth Men’s Pan American Cup on Monday night at the Multifunctional Auditorium of Colima, Mexico.

Mexico struggled to come back on track after losing a demanding second set to Peru’s organized attackers. Mexico keeps their winning mark (2-0) and will face Puerto Rico (2-0) on Tuesday to decide pool B top finisher, and Peru (0-2) meets Trinidad and Tobago (0-2).

Mexico excelled against Peru by close margins in spikes (58-51) and in blocks (9-7), while both teams scored 3 points on aces. They were also similar in errors, Mexico finished with 27 and Peru with 29.

Opposite Daniel Vargas led Mexico with 22 points, including 21 kills, while outside hitters Jorge Barajas and Gonzalo Ruiz contributed with 14 points apiece. Four Peruvian players finished with double-figures, led by Alvaro Hidalgo (17pts), Eduardo Romay (14 pts), Daniel Porras (12 pts) and Daniel Urueña (11 pts).

Comments:

Daniel Vargas, Mexican top scorer: “It was a difficult match, I believe we had never faced Peru; they are preparing for the Pan American Games and it shows their hard work. We committed many errors, keeping focused and concentrated. The more experienced players tried to gather team and beat Peru”.

Eduardo Romay, captain Peru: “It was hard, Mexico is not an easy team; it was important to add one set and see what chance we could have depending on tomorrow’s result. We can’t close matches, it’s complicated playing at this level and slowly we’ll be less anxious”.  

Jorge Azair, coach Mexico: “Peru pushed hard, they were structured and have two key players (number 14 and the opposite) who we weren’t able to contain, especially the opposite. We adjusted our reception in the fourth set, something that worked at the beginning, serving to the body and try to read the game better”.

Diego Recavarren, assistant coach Peru: “We had a hard time getting into the match; we improved in the second set, mostly in receiving and we harmed Mexico. This helps my team’s growth, we are going one step at a time and teams have begun to respect us”.