Panama defeats Honduras

in first win

BELIZE CITY, Belize, September 27, 2016.- Panama defeated Honduras 3-1(25-18, 18-25, 25-22, 27-25) in their first win at the AFECAVOL Men’s FIVB World Championship qualification tournament at St. Catherine Academy Center in Belize City.

Panama and Honduras played for almost two hours (1:55) to decide the second match of day four of competition. It was Panama who finished on top and earned their first victory in tournament (1-3) with an exciting end after Honduras lost a set point that would have extended the actions to a tie-break.

Panama performed with advantage in spikes (49-39) and in blocks (12-11), while Honduras did better in service points (8-4). Panama committed 32 errors and Honduras 30.

Outside hitter Marshall Oswald found his game by scoring 19 points, middle blocker Otto Othon scored 14 points and opposite player Jose Cunningham contributed with 11 points. Opposite player Carlos Osorio led Honduras with 14 points, while outside hitter Frank Alley and middle blocker Wilfredo Lopez chipped in with 12 and 11 points respectively.

On Wednesday, Panama (1-3) plays against Nicaragua (0-2) and Honduras has the day off.

Domingo Avila, captain of Panamá: “Today we concentrated better, we played our fast game. Our outside hitters were more effective in the first set and then our middle players also contributed to finish. We still need improvement in our defense”.

Marvin Ulloa, captain of Honduras: “We failed at important moments. In the last set we only needed one point and we weren’t able to score. The team needs more concentration and need to fight stronger if we want to win the bronze medal”.