Chile beats Dominican Republic at Men’s Pan Am Cup

Chile beats Dominican Republic at Men’s Pan Am Cup

COLIMA, Mexico, June 16, 2019. - Chile beat Dominican Republic 3-1 (25-18, 20-25, 25-20, 25-21) on day one of the fourteenth Men’s Pan American Cup at Multifunctional Auditorium of Colima, Mexico.

Chile needed almost two hours (1:58) to hold off Dominican Republic in pool C, mostly from the service line with 11-5 margin. In set two, Dominicans suffered the loss of opposite Henry Tapia due to dehydration.

Chile also finished with 46-43 margin in spikes, 8-5 in blocks and benefited from 36 Dominican errors while committing 25.

Chilean captain Dusan Bonacic scored 17 points on 11 kills and 6 aces and opposite Tomas Parraguirre added 15 points on 13 kills and 2 aces. Wing spiker Héctor Cruz of Dominican Republic scored a match-high of 20 points on 15 kills, 3 blocks and 2 aces; wing spiker Jonathan Mercedes contributed with 13 points on 12 kills and one ace.

Day two in pool C features Chile (1-0) against United States (1-0) and Dominican Republic facing Guatemala (0-1).

Comments:

Dusan Bonacic, captain Chile: “We fought strong against them and ourselves. Dominican Republic is a great team, strong in every skill; we had difficulties in blocking them and defending the powerful kills. I congratulate my team for coming out on top despite coming from behind and improving”.

Héctor Cruz, leading scorer Dominican Republic: “We performed well, but not enough; I know we have much more to offer. We failed in reception and Chile battled hard. This is just the first match”.

Daniel Nejamkin, coach Chile: “We performed better in the first set, with more intensity. We served well the entire game, in the first set we scored three aces, which is a lot for us; it was a good match for both. The heat is an important factor”.

Alexander Gutiérrez, coach Dominican Republic: “I believe our game level is similar to Chile. They have many years working together, on the contrary from us that I have change team three times in one year. I am glad with my team’s performance, but no with the loss”.