Peru won bronze at the U23 Pan American Cup in Havana

HAVANA, Cuba, July 16, 2023.- Peru defeated Chile in straight sets (26-24, 25-11, 25-22) to win the bronze medal at the V U23 Men’s Pan American cup that for a week was held at the Ciudad Deportiva Coliseum.

Peru was able to control the match despite the momentary reactions of their opponents, but in stats they only led in attacks (45-33), while in blocking (6-5) and serves (7-3) the losers were better.

Outside hitter Sebastián Blanco led Peru once again and all scorers of the match with 21 points. The other two with double digits in the match that lasted an hour and 17 minutes were outside hitter Rafael Fuentes (13) and opposite Ian Gei (11) of Chile.

Cuban Juan Carlos Gala, coach of Peru, explained “Chile started aggressive, but we were able to control what they were doing and from there on we adjusted the team, and all went as expected. The second was calmer, however in the third they got back to attacking and we counterattacked in the end. I am glad about the bronze; this is a new generation of players and now we must continue working”.

Gerardo Chicoma, setter of Peru, said “yesterday we were focused, we wanted the medal, we have a mix of young and experienced players, which I think is good because we have blended and that made this possible”.

“I am one of the youngest in the team, 16 years old, and this is my first international experience as an outside hitter at U23, I had another one last year, but not as a setter, and I believe you learn a lot. I consider this a great experience, and all is nice”.

Iván Villareal, Chilean coach said, “we were aware that the tournament was going to be difficult because we decided to invest in a group that is developing, and from that point of view we are satisfied with the experience they had, because the investment doesn’t go through winning but from playing and playing, we are consistent in our new players. I congratulate Peru for having a good tournament. We could have done a bit more for moments, but there are many ghosts to take care of, that’s why we need these tournaments for their progress”.

Ian Gei, second best scorer said,  “we committed too many errors, tactically we were below and personally I was as well, as in technical aspects. I recognize that in energy we weren’t well, in the first set we were leading and we couldn’t close. This tournament proved that we must train what we did well or what we need to learn better, and have a more positive attitude, not always think that we are going to lose”.