Guatemala struggles to overcome Honduras
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, October 5,
2019.- Guatemala
struggled to overcome Honduras 3-1 (25-18, 22-25, 25-23,
25-19) at the AFECAVOL U21 Central American Championship
that concludes on Sunday at FESAVOL Gymnasium of San
Salvador, El Salvador.
Guatemala remarkably recovered from a seven-point deficit
(18-23) on seven consecutive points to win set three.
Honduras kept Guatemala busy trying to maintain control of
the actions.
Guatemala is now in difficult position with 3-2 record and
14 points, the same as Costa Rica and Panama with the same
record but has 17 points. Honduras concludes the event with
1-5 record and 7 points.
Guatemala ended the match with 48-42 lead in attacks and 8-4
in aces; Honduras led in blocks 11-9. Guatemala committed
fewer errors (28-32).
The winners used a balanced attack between opposite José
Rodrigo Carrillo (16), middle blocker Jason Hernández (15)
and outside hitter Francisco Gamboa (14). Kevin Herrera led
Honduras with a match-high of 19 points and captain Allan
Escote added 13 points.
On Sunday Guatemala (3-2) will face Panama (3-2) in a
crucial match for the final ranking position.
Reider Lucas, Head Coach of Guatemala: “We had a really bad
second set, we were unstable and we lost one point in
ranking that complicates our final result in the tournament.
Finally we got the win and we still might win a medal. We
are finishing with a tough Panama, but all is decided on the
court”.
Jason Hernández, middle blocker Guatemala: “The attitude of
the bench players deserve the credit today, they lift our
game. Tomorrow will be a complicated game and it will be a
great duel that could win only if we have the same attitude
as today’s last two sets”.
Kevin Herrera, best scorer of Honduras: “Our reaction came
too late, we were over confident and I am proud of the way
we fought”.