Brazil is the Pan American Champion

GUADALAJARA, Mexico, October 29, 2011 – Brazil won the gold medal after defeating Cuba 3-1 (25-11, 24-26, 25-18, 25-19) at the Pan American Games men’s volleyball tournament on Saturday night.

The Brazilian team claimed the crown after 1 hour and 32 minutes in a final match that resulted as expected by the fans and also predicted by coaches Orlando Samuels of Cuba and Rubinho Leonaldo of Brazil.

Wallace De Souza tallied 21 points while Luiz Fonteles finished with 15 for the Brazilian team. Fernando Hernandez Ramos scored 18 for Cuba and Wilfredo Leon finished with 10. “I want to congratulate Brazil, technically and tactically it was the strongest team in this tournament for the rest of the competitors”, said Samuels whose unit finished with the silver medal.

“Facing Cuba is always difficult, they are very strong physically and so are their defense and blocking game. But overall I am happy with this result. The gold medal means a lot due to the work done by the players and representing the first team of Brazil as an athlete and coach has a big meaning”, said Rubinho Leonaldo about clinching the championship.

Individual Awards

MVP: Wilfredo Leon (CUB). Best Spiker: Wallace de Souza (BRA), Best Digger: Blair Bann (CAN. Best Setter: Bruno Rezende (BRA). Best Blocker: Sebastian Sole (ARG); Best Receiver: Mario Da Silva (BRA); Best Server: Fernando Hernandez Ramos (CUB); Best Scorer: Ivan Contreras (MEX); Best Libero: Hector Mata.

Final Ranking

1 Brazil

2 Cuba

3 Argentina

4 Mexico

5 USA

6 Canada

7 Puerto Rico

8 Venezuela