Cuba Tops Mexico for Pan Am Junior

 Bronze and Ticket to Lima 2027

ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay, August 22, 2025.- Cuba captured the bronze medal in the men’s volleyball tournament of the II Junior Pan American Games Asunción 2025 after defeating Mexico 3-1 (22-25, 25-13, 25-18, 25-23), also earning a berth to the Lima 2027 Pan American Games as the highest-ranked NORCECA team.

Mexico started strong thanks to the offensive power of Jared Toy and Eduardo Garza, taking an early lead in the opening set (10-8). Despite Cuba’s attempts at the net, Mexico kept control and pulled ahead on the scoreboard.

The Cuban squad bounced back decisively in the second set, surging to a 14-5 lead with Alejandro González and middle blocker Thiago Suárez leading the way. Blocking became Cuba’s main weapon, with Yusniel González and Alexis Wilson joining the wall at the net to tie the match.

In the third set, Alejandro González’s powerful serves pushed Cuba ahead 11-4. Mexico responded with Toy and Jorge Hernández, but the Caribbean side held their advantage to move in front 2-1.

The fourth set was a nail-biter, with Mexico leading 18-16 after Cuban errors and an ace by Alexis Alvarado. However, Thiago Suárez and Yusniel González turned the tide for Cuba, sealing the victory, the bronze medal, and the qualification to Lima 2027.

Statistically, Cuba dominated with a huge margin in blocks (14-4), attacks (55-45), and a slight edge in serves (3-2), though they conceded more points on errors (28-25).

Cuban opposite hitter Alejandro González topped all scorers with 23 points (17 attacks, 4 blocks, 2 aces), followed by Yusniel González with 18 (14 attacks, 3 blocks, 1 ace), and Thiago Suárez with 12 (9 attacks, 3 blocks). For Mexico, Jared Toy led with 15 points and Jorge Hernández added 11.

Cuba’s coach, Johan Collado, spoke about his team’s performance: “The boys entered the game overconfident, thinking Mexico wasn’t going to play. Every team goes out there looking for a medal, and we were too passive. After losing the first set, we called their attention, and they reacted because we needed to set the pace of the game. We won, and now it’s time to celebrate.”