Chile Wins Pool C with Thriller Five-Set Victory over Mexico

LEÓN, Guanajuato, August 28, 2025. – Chile defeated Mexico in a thrilling five-set battle 3-2 (20-25, 25-16, 19-25, 25-23, 16-14) to claim first place in Pool C at the Men’s Senior Pan American Cup, being held at the Domo de la Feria in León, Guanajuato.

With a perfect 3-0 record, Chile secured the top spot in the pool, while Mexico (2-1) finished second. In the quarterfinals, Chile will face Colombia and Mexico will take on the United States.

Mexico started strong with Franky Hernández leading the offense, supported by Alexis Garay and Mauro Fuentes to take the opening set. Chile responded in the second with a comfortable lead, powered by Vicente Parraguirre and contributions from Vicente Ibarra, tying the match.

The third set was a tense exchange with long rallies that kept the crowd engaged. Mexico pulled ahead with Garay’s attack and a solid block from Hernández against Parraguirre, closing the set with authority.

Chile forced the tie-break after a tightly contested fourth set, sealed by a Mexican error and a decisive spike from captain Dusan Bonacic. In the deciding set, the South Americans took an 8-3 lead, but Mexico fought back with Oziel Aguirre closing the gap to 12-10 and later tying at 13. Finally, a block by Vicente Ibarra gave Chile the extended win.

Chile held the edge in blocking (13-10) and serving (3-1), while Mexico led in attacking (58-55). Both teams committed 34 unforced errors.

Vicente Parraguirre led all scorers with 21 points. Also contributing to the win, Vicente Ibarra added 15, while Bonacic and Vicente Valenzuela contributed 11 each, and Tomás Gago chipped in 10. For Mexico, Alexis Garay led with 19 points, Hernández added 16, and Axel Téllez scored 12.

Chile’s head coach, Daniel Nejamkin, said: “It was a very beautiful match. I think it has been the best game of the tournament so far. Both teams played with great intensity and the will to win. We are very happy to have won.”

Mexico’s libero, Said Bravo, commented after the loss: “Chile is a strong team and matches against them are always difficult. I feel that in the end we made too many errors that cost us the match. The tournament continues, we must keep working, push harder, and take this loss as a lesson.”