Erik Flores and Wagner Chacon aiming for second U-21 title

PUERTO JIMENEZ, Costa Rica, August 31, 2017. - Defending champions Erik Flores and Wagner Chacon of Guatemala are aiming to win their second consecutive title as the AFECAVOL U-21 Central American Beach Volleyball tournament is ready to get underway on Friday at Playa Preciosa in Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica. 

Erik and Wagner won their first title after battling in three intense sets 2-1 (21-14, 17-21, 15-13) to beat Denis Lopez and Jefferson Cascante of Nicaragua in last year’s edition. Both teams are eager to repeat 2016’s gold medal match.

Nicaragua as also registered Christopher Cascante alongside Hernan Jimenez as their second team; Hernan Jimenez finished fourth in 2016 playing with another partner.

Costa Rica presents two teams, Nicolas Velluti and Fabian Guerra, and Allan Obando with Alexandre Lezcano. Nicolas is son of former player Ingrid Morales, and teaming up with Fabian enter the event with great preparation after competing at the FIVB age-group World Championship in Nanjing, China in July.

Completing the list of eleven male teams are two duos from Belize, Gabriel Nuñez/Ernan Caliz and Anselmo Rivero/Clifford Barrow. Honduras includes Sanchez brothers, Brandon and Johel, and countrymen Irvin Reyes/Adonis Rodríguez.  In addition El Salvador with Josue Palma/Walter Martinez alongside twins Christopher and Yoel Guardado.

Nicaragua kicks off the competition with both teams; Christopher Cascante and Hernan Jimenez face Gabriel Nuñez/Ernan Caliz (BIZ-1) in pool A, followed by a pool B match between Denis Lopez and Jefferson Cascante against Allan Obando and Alexandre Lezcano (CRC-2).

Men’s Pool composition:

Pool A: GUA Erik Gerardo Flores/Wagner Arnulfo Chacón (GUA); BIZ-1 Gabriel Eduardo Nuñez/Ernan Ganney Caliz; NCA-2 Christopher Josué Cascante/Hernan José Jiménez

Pool B: NCA-1 Denis José López/Jefferson de Jesús Cascante; HON-1 Brandon Daniel Sánchez/Bradley Johel Sánchez; ESA-2 Christopher Armando Guardado/Yoel Alejandro Guardado; CRC-2 Allan Jafet Obando/Alexandre Lezcano

Pool C: ESA-1 Josué Andrés Palma/Walter René Martínez; CRC-1 Jean Nicolás Velluti/Fabian Guerra; HON-2 Irvin Armando Reyes/Adonis Eduardo Rodríguez; BIZ-2 Anselmo Andrés Rivero/Clifford Wallace Barrow.