El Salvador Captures First Victory

at the Central American Games

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala, October 18, 2025.– El Salvador earned its first victory in the men’s volleyball tournament of the 12th Central American Games Guatemala 2025, defeating Honduras 3-0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-17).

El Salvador improved its record to 1-1 in Pool B and will close the preliminary round facing Belize. Honduras, still winless, will meet Costa Rica in its final match. The top two teams in each pool will advance to the semifinals.

El Salvador came back from a four-point deficit (8-12) in the first set, tying at 12 and taking control through the offensive efforts of Abner Cano and Rodrigo Chávez. Despite strong performances from David Villatoro and Jesús Montes, a service error from Honduras gave El Salvador the opening set.

In the second set, both teams were even at 11 points before El Salvador gained the upper hand with solid blocking from Diego Guidos. Although Arturo Durán pushed Honduras’  offense, El Salvador maintained its rhythm to go up 2-0.

El Salvador dominated the third set from the start, capitalizing on Honduras’ errors and with Guidos leading the attack at the net.

ALBUM ESA vs HON

El Salvador led in attacks (40-32), while Honduras held the edge in serves (6-2). Both teams scored 8 points on blocks. El Salvador benefited from 25 opponent errors while committing only 14 of its own.

Rodrigo Chávez and Abner Cano led El Salvador’s offense with 14 and 13 points respectively. Diego Guidos contributed 10 points, including five blocks. For Honduras, David Villatoro and Jesús Montes each tallied 11 points.

Juan Carlos Vargas, setter of El Salvador, said after the win: “We have a mix of new players and veterans. After losing to Costa Rica yesterday, we went from less to more and finished strong. Today we started with that same energy and positive attitude to win 3-0. We’re going for more.”

Meanwhile, Honduras’ coach Osiel Vázquez commented: “The boys didn’t meet the goals set for the match. We didn’t block the corners as planned, and we didn’t put enough pressure with our serves to disrupt their first contact and gain rhythm. The players’ attitude was not the best.”