Venezuela Outlasts Colombia in Five Sets

to Reach the Gold Medal Match

LEÓN, Guanajuato, August 30, 2025.– Venezuela secured a spot in the gold medal match of the 18th Senior Men’s Pan American Cup after edging Colombia in a thrilling five-set semifinal 3-2 (25-22, 28-26, 19-25, 15-25, 15-12) at the Domo de la Feria in León.

The Venezuelan team will battle for the gold medal against the winner of the other semifinal between defending champion Canada and Mexico, while Colombia will play for bronze against the loser of that clash.

The semifinal was a true battle, with a tight start, fast play, and plenty of highlights. In the opening set, Venezuela pulled ahead 23-20 with a key block from captain Willner Rivas, and after a dramatic finish, a Colombian net touch error sealed the 1-0 lead for Venezuela.

In the second set, Colombia staged a spectacular comeback from 19-24 to level at 24, saving seven set points along the way. Still, an attack from Rivas and a block by Moisés Vásquez against Andrés Piza gave Venezuela a commanding 2-0 advantage.

Colombia answered strongly in the third and fourth sets with lineup adjustments. Miguel Ramírez “Amaranto,” backed by Juan Castañeda and Daniel Aponza, took control offensively to close out 25-19 and 25-15, forcing a decisive fifth set.

In the tie-break, Venezuela surged ahead 10-6 thanks to the serving of Ronald Fayola and the attacking of Vásquez, with Rivas leading the charge. Colombia tried to rally with Amaranto and Marlon Mendoza, but a reception error after Fayola’s attack sealed Venezuela’s victory and celebration of their ticket to the final.

Venezuela benefited from 36 Colombian errors against 31 of their own and held the edge in service points (5-3), while Colombia led in attacks (60-57) and blocks (11-9).

Willner Rivas led Venezuela with 16 points, followed by Emerson Rodríguez with 15 and Moisés Vásquez with 11. For Colombia, Miguel Ramírez “Amaranto” and Juan Castañeda tallied 17 points each, Daniel Aponza added 13, and Marlon Mendoza, who came off the bench from the third set onward, chipped in 10.

After the match, Venezuelan captain Willner Rivas said: “We expected a tough match. Colombia is a very strong opponent, and every time we face each other it’s great volleyball. We never gave up, even when we were down in the fourth set. We achieved the victory because we came into the fifth set with a lot of energy and determination; we went out there to win.”