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PINAR DEL RÍO, Cuba, June 3, 2022 - The Mexican
team sensationally beat Puerto Rico in a hard-fought
tie-break to seal the game 3-2 (26-24, 21-25,
26-24, 15-25 and 17-15) at the closing of the
inaugural program of the Norceca Challenger
Final Four, which takes place in the 19 de
Noviembre Hall in the westernmost province of
the Island.
For the winners, the top scorers were the
opposite Diego González with 24, and the corner
player Josué López and the center back Axel
Téllez, both with 14 each.
Five Puerto Ricans achieved double digits,
opposite Gregory Torres (21), striker Pelegrín
Vargas (20), center Antonio Elías (12) and
cornerback Omar Hoyos (10).
Jorge Miguel Azair, Coach of Mexico: “I
feel the difference in the fifth set more than
anything, since we improved our reception and
tightened the service as we had been doing
before, but they had already tightened the serve
in the second, third and fourth set. And the
fundamental thing is that nothing happened with
the boys because of the situation on the court
due to the rain”.
Christian Aranda, captain of Mexico: “It
was a very intense match for both teams during
the five sets and until the end of the last
point, I think it helped us a lot to start the
tournament and start to loosen up. The two teams
developed very well and we bring in new players
and that requires adapting to this new
integration”.
Gerardo de Jesús Sánchez, Coach of Puerto
Rico: “I had two match points in the fifth
set and we couldn't close the match, we didn't
get a couple of balls in defense and we missed
two or three balls in attack in important
moments. It was a great game within the
conditions of the field, although that is the
same for both teams. However, there were many
positive things, this is a young group
surrounded by some with experience.”
Arturo Iglesias, captain of the Puerto Ricans: “We
made mistakes at key moments on serve and
defense, but I'm very proud of my teammates
because they played with their hearts and gave
everything. It was a difficult day for both
teams and difficult conditions to play. Now to
rest and prepare for the next game against the
Dominican Republic, which is very important”. |
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