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TORONTO, Canada July 23, 2015 – Defending champions Brazil made
a spectacular comeback to defeat Puerto Rico in five-sets 3-2
(18-25, 24-26, 25-22, 25-19, 15-11) and progressing to the gold
medal match at the women’s tournament of the Pan American Games
at Toronto Exhibition Center on Thursday.
Not only the Brazilian were able to erase the 0-2 deficit but
trailed 2-6 in the tie-breaker before winning the next six
points to never look back.
Fernanda Rodrigues had 28 points, including a tournament-high 8
blocks, to spearhead the resurgence of South American side. Rosi
Montibeller and Adenizia Da Silva contributed 17 and 14 points
in the victory.
Karina Ocasio and Aurea Cruz finished with 25 and 23 points,
respectively, in the losing effort. Stephanie Enright concluded
the night with 15 and Lynda Morales had 10 points, including six
blocks, for Puerto Rico.
Brazil totaled a tournament-high 21 blocks to 13 by Puerto Rico,
with Montibeller, Adenizia and Barbara Bruch contributing three
blocks apiece.
Ze Roberto, Coach of Brazil: “It was a very difficult match.
Puerto Rico played at a very high level and dominated the first
two sets with a lot of calm and grabbed a big advantage. We
needed more tranquility and worked better with our defense,
block and attack. After the third set we began to improve and
everything got more balanced. I anticipate a very intense final
against any opponent either Dominican Republic or USA.”
Joyce Silva, player of Brazil: “We are now prepared to play the
final, maybe USA or maybe the Dominican Republic. Both are very
complicated. Either of the team is very strong. There is a
friendly rivalry with the Dominican team.”
Mariana Costa, player of Brazil: “It was question of attitude
and calm. We had to do so. Puerto Rico began very well but we
did not surrender. We improved a lot but this was the attitude
of a team. I appreciate to be considered to get in when the team
and the coach needed, but It was not the effort of one, it was
the effort of all of us.”
Jaque Carvalho, Captain of Brazil: “Today I felt good. I didn’t
know when or how I began to experience some pain. I had to rest
a little the match before, and today I played a couple of sets I
didn’t feel any problems, but now I have to take care, to train
and prepare as the finals comes on.”
José Mieles, Coach of Puerto Rico: “It is tough, as we faced a
team more experienced that has been also two times champion at
this event. Anyway I
am so proud of my players for everything they did on the court.
They fought hard and came out to play well. We still have one
more chance at these games as we will play for the bronze
medal. This will be
a great opportunity to be on the podium for Puerto Rico”.
Vilmarie Mojica, player of Puerto Rico: “Brazil had been in this
kind of scenario and we couldn’t capitalize some situations like
the one in the tie-breaker when we were ahead 6-2. Their serves
made it very tough for us. We are proud of playing five sets
twice against Brazil during the tournament and now we hope to
win the bronze medal.”
Lynda Morales, player of Puerto Rico: “Sometimes our blocking
game is not very well set, so we have to improve that as well as
the defense and the consistency in serving. I think these are
the issues we have to work harder. When the match began we had a
good starts the first two sets. We only need to keep that
consistency in our game, and we still have the chance for the
bronze to prove it and keep fighting.” |
