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MEXICO CITY, Mexico, May 26, 2016.- Canada defeat Mexico 3-0
(25-20, 25-20, 29-27) to win the bronze medal match of the XI
Men’s Pan American Cup on Thursday at the Olympic Gymnasium Juan
de la Barrera in Mexico City.
Canada returns to the Pan American podium, the last time was in
2011 when they also won the bronze. Canada and Mexico secured a
place in next year’s World League .
Canada held a comfortable advantage in the first with
unbreakable blocking which took Mexico by surprise. The third
set was a thriller as actions were tied on numerous occasions
with spectacular digs and strength in spikes from both sides.
Canada’s towering block dominated Mexico with 12-3 advantage,
they also were better in serves 8-2 and in kills 37-32. Canada
committed 30 errors and Mexico 22.
Canada’s top scorers were Ryley Barnes and Stephen Maar with 16
points apiece, followed by Braden Mclean with 11 points. With 14
points, Jorge Barajas was Mexico’s only player with double
digits.
Brett Walsh said “the energy levels of the match got tighten in
the third set and that was in Mexico’s favor being the home team
with their amazing fans riding them and having their back the
whole time. Mexico started to make awesome plays, making it
difficult for us, with points going back and forth; it was a
pretty fun battle to be a part of”.
Coach Georges Laplante said “I am very pleased the way we played
tonight, we made variations in our line-up, giving a chance to
other players like Ryley Barnes who made a big difference
tonight. We were expecting a tough match because Mexican players
always fight hard. They pushed us a lot in the end and it could
have gone either way”.
Pedro Rangel of Mexico indicated “it was a complicated match,
being down by two sets made us change our mentality, we thought
we had nothing to lose but much to win, improving our rhythm. We
played a high-leveled third set, as equals against Canada and it
was important to finish on a high note looking forward next
week”.
Coach Jorge Azair said “I’m satisfied, it would have been nice
to win a medal, but we must close this chapter. I’m glad because
we reached our goal of a good preparation for the pre-Olympic.
There is much to evaluate”. |
