Guatemala with straight set victory over Nicaragua

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala, October 18, 2018. -  Host Guatemala won in straight sets 3-0 (25-21, 25-18, 25-21) over Nicaragua at the fourth Men’s U23 Pan American Cup in the Multisport Dome of Guatemala City.

Guatemala won the Central American duel for a 2-1 win-loss record and 9 points, while Nicaragua drops to 1-2 and 3 points; it’s most likely that these two teams will meet again on Sunday.

Nicaragua recovered from a seven point deficit (13-20) in the first set, but Guatemala blocked their intentions to move forward winning 25-21.  Guatemala had more confidence in the second set with solid attacks and sealing with a comfortable margin. Guatemala and Nicaragua engaged in a very close third set evening the score 12-12 and on several occasions more; Guatemala had to work harder to break Nicaragua’s defense.

Guatemala was superior only in attacks with 40-31 margin; both scored 5 points on blocks and 2 points on aces. Guatemala scored on 26 opponent errors and committed 22.

Wing spiker Carlos Lopez led Guatemala’s offense with 19 points including 17 kills and one ace. Also joining the winning effort was wing spiker Wagner Chacon with 11 points and middle blocker Edras Pineda with 10 points all in kills.

On Friday Guatemala (2-1) will play Cuba (3-0) and Nicaragua (1-2) faces Mexico (2-1).

Guatemala’s setter Adan Ruano said “yesterday we studied Nicaragua well, in today’s practice session we focused on what to do during the match. Nicaragua’s strength is attacking on the outside and with our coach we knew how to play. Tomorrow we will give our best effort against Cuba”.

Cuban Reider Lucas, Guatemala’s coach indicated “in the third set we weren’t concentrated enough, but we reached our goal to finish in three sets. This was only a passing match because the possibility of facing them again is high. We studied them well and we established strategy to beat them”.

Nicaraguan coach Osman Hernandez believed his boys were disorientated “this hurt us to develop our usual rhythm; we hope to do it better in the next match. Their attitude improved in the third set”.

Gabriel Barrios of Nicaragua expressed “we were too pressured because we wanted to finish on top and maybe fight for another medal rather than the bronze. We should have started with the attitude we had in the third set. We aren’t discouraged. Tomorrow will be tough against Mexico but we will give our all because these are unique opportunities”.