Puerto Rico wins fifth place over USA at Pan Am Games

LIMA, Peru, August 3, 2019.- Puerto Rico won fifth place at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games over United States 3-2 (22-25, 25-21, 25-22, 20-25, 15-8) at the Multisport Complex El Callao in Lima, Peru.

Today’s performance was slower than what both Puerto Rico and United States showed in their previous matches. Puerto Rico led 60-58 in kills and 8-7 in aces; USA led in blocks 9-6. Puerto Rico scored on 33 USA errors while committing 27.

Puerto Rican captain Maurice Torres topped all scorers with 23 points on 21 kills and 2 aces; Pablo Guzman contributed with 18 points, Jonathan Rodriguez with 13 points and Pelegrin Sanchez added 10 points. Outside hitter Samuel Holt scored 11 points as USA leading hitter, followed by 10 points by Colt Cowell, playing only three sets.

Puerto Rico finishes the competition with 2-2 record for fifth place; United States ends with 1-3 record.

Comments:

Maurice Torres, captain of Puerto Rico: “We played at our pace, without rushing things, with no pressure and no anxiety. We weren’t thinking about the outcome but only of doing things well, happy and learning from our errors for the next tournament”.

Oswald Antonetti, Head coach of Puerto Rico: “At critical moments, you need character to decide which way to go; this is an excellent group, very committed, a Caribbean island in search of being noticed in volleyball internationally speaking and today´s victory strengthens our week’s work”.

Samuel Holt, top scorer of United States: “Our coach wanted to start with a different line-up, give some others a chance to get in and play that was his main focus today”.