Panama Opens Central American Games with Five-Set Victory over Guatemala

with Five-Set Victory over Guatemala

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala, October 18, 2025. – Panama opened its campaign at the men’s volleyball tournament of the 12th Central American Games Guatemala 2025 with a dramatic five-set victory 3-2 (25-23, 25-16, 22-25, 16-25, 15-12) over Guatemala at the Teodoro Palacios Flores Gymnasium.

With the win, Panama secured a spot in the semifinals with a 1-0 record in Pool A and will face Nicaragua (1-0) on Sunday for first place in the pool. Guatemala, with a 0-2 record, was eliminated from medal contention.

In the opening set, both teams were tied at 18 points in a fierce offensive battle. Panama took the lead through the blocking and attacking efforts of Ludrik West, while Gherson Ortiz contributed defensively by containing Guatemala’s top scorer Andy Blanco.

Panama gained a comfortable five-point lead (17-12) in the second set, led by Ortiz, and capitalized on Guatemala’s errors to close the set with a wide margin.

The hosts came back in the third set determined to extend the match. Carlos López and Jerry Durán pushed Guatemala forward, while Panama remained focused and close in the score. Backed by their home crowd, Guatemala forced the match to go longer.

In the fourth set, Guatemala jumped to a four-point lead (15-11) behind Blanco’s powerful attacks, supported by Durán and Jason Hernández, to send the contest to a deciding fifth set.

In the tie-break, both teams battled point for point up to 5-all. Panama then built a three-point lead (8-5) with a block from Astergio Díaz over Durán and a hitting error from Blanco. Blocking proved to be the key factor for Panama’s victory, closing the set 15-12 and dominating 5-0 in blocks in the final frame.

ALBUM PAN vs GUA

Panama finished the match with advantages in blocks (15-5) and aces (4-2), while Guatemala led in attacks (68-56). Both teams committed a similar number of errors, Panama with 26 and Guatemala with 28.

Gherson Ortiz led Panama with 22 points, while Andy Blanco topped all scorers with 28 points for Guatemala.

Panama’s captain Róger Otton said after the victory: “It has been very hard and difficult for us. Tears, sacrifices, and to take this victory means so much. Advancing to the semifinals is incredible. The team connected and worked together. There were ups and downs, it was a roller coaster. Guatemala is an excellent rival. Today God gave us the opportunity to achieve the victory.”