Chile wins bronze medal at U-21 Cup

PANAMA CITY, Panama, June 27, 2011 – Chile defeated Puerto Rico 3-1 (26-24, 19-25, 25-22, 25-19) to attain the bronze medal in the U-21 Men’s Volleyball Pan American Cup.

Vicente Parraguirre and Domenico Giuria each totaled 16 points while Tomas Parraguirre and Dusan Bonacic finished with 12 apiece for the winning side.

Jose Ribas topped Puerto Rico with 15 points while Noah Marrero and Ramón Burgos collected 13 and 10 points respectively.

“It was a tough well fought match”, Chilean coach Daniel Nejamkin said. “We played a good game with some players having their first international exposure, combined with some other who sooner will join the national men’s team. It is of great satisfaction to arrive here with idea of a seventh place and leave out with a bronze medal.”

Tomas Parraguirre, captain of Chile said they played in a very complicated pool with Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico but they focused as best as they could and that’s why they are leaving with the bronze.

Puerto Rico’s coach said: “There are not excuses since Chile was the best team in court even though five players of this team are playing for Puerto Rico in the World League.”

“I want to congratulate my players because they battled and my congratulations to Chile because they played better volleyball than us,” Rodríguez added.