Argentina survives comeback by Mexico

GUADALAJARA, Mexico, October 25, 2011 – Argentina hold off Mexico 3-2 (25-23, 25-23, 25-27, 21-25, 15-10) in Pool A of the men’s tournament at the Pan American Games on Tuesday. Both teams have now a 1-1 win-loss record.

Pablo Crer was the best Argentinean with 16 points including six blocks and Mariano Guistiniano added 13. Nicolas Bruno, Sebastian Sole and Federico Pereyra each had 10 points. Mexico’s Ivan Contreras topped all the scores with 29 points while Gustavo Meyer and Tomas Aguilera finished with 15 and 12 points.

Javier Weber (Coach of Argentina): “We had a very tough match. We had a very important advantage on the third set. We didn’t close the attack as we were trying to. Mexico complicated us a lot and started another match with some modifications; we got in with some players, more relaxed mentally.”

Jorge Azair (Coach of Mexico): “Obviously I am angry because of the loss, but at the same time I am very quiet because the guys did a great effort. We could go on the third and fourth set, with more heart than strategy; we were a little bit confused in the match.”

Sebastian Sole (Captain of Argentina): “We started the match very well. We did what we expected, but after the two sets it became difficult. We struggled against Mexico. We made a lot of mistakes, but on the fifth we set our mind on the court and did what we had to do.”

Iván Contreras (Captain of Mexico): “We have a lot of heart in Mexico. Our volleyball has it. We don’t surrender easily. But if we had kept the level and if we had more experience and calm as a team maybe we had another score. Facing Argentina is always difficult.”