Dominicans swept young Chilean team at U23 Pan American Cup

LA HABANA, Cuba, July 12, 2023.- Dominican Republic did not give a truce to a young Chilean team to beat them in straights sets (25-18, 25-17, 25-20) in their debut on the court on the second day of the V U23 Pan American Cup at Ciudad Deportiva Coliseum.

Dominicans, who didn’t play on Tuesday because of the absence of Mexico, sustained advantage in attacks (42-37) and in blocks (11-2) and tied with four aces from serves in a match that lasted an hour and 15 minutes.

Opposite Adrián José Figueroa was the top scorer with 17, followed by his teammate, middle blocker Moisés Alexander Ortiz, who added 15. On the opponents’ side, once again Gai was among the most productive of his team, this time with 11 points, while outside hitter Rafael Fuentes added 10.

On Thursday Dominican Republic will face Peru at 10 am and Chile against Cuba at noon. Nicaragua has the day off because of the absence of Mexico.

Dante Mañón, head coach of the Dominican team explained that “against Chile we used our blocks, with two towers in the middle we were a wall, and they would bat the ball and we were controlling and that’s what we did the entire match. I am happy with the boys because we won five points, battling to qualify for the 2025 II Junior Pan American Games.”

Moisés Alexander Ortiz, second leading scorer of the match said, “each one works the way they train, I don’t want to say that Chile is not performing well, because they were always battling, we were always united and that joy on the court for which we stand out, it doesn’t matter if we lose or win, you have to be happy, always high”.

“They did much better in serving and defense, we were blocking well, organized in defense, trying not to leave vulnerable spaces and always communicating”.

The head coach of Chile, Iván Villarreal considered that “the Dominicans did things well, they reached a level during the game to keep a clean structure and we congratulate who deserves to win. We did not answer emotionally, it was low on court, which gives us difficulties, even if I understand the motives, which is lack of experience”.

“We brought a young team, not to diminish the tournament, but to help them to develop. The consequences of this decision don’t frustrate me, it’s one step more to advance towards the work we are looking for them”.