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Brazil makes spectacular trip to the gold medal match

 

   

TORONTO, Canada July 23, 2015 – Defending champions Brazil made a spectacular comeback to defeat Puerto Rico in five-sets 3-2 (18-25, 24-26, 25-22, 25-19, 15-11) and progressing to the gold medal match at the women’s tournament of the Pan American Games at Toronto Exhibition Center on Thursday.

 

Not only the Brazilian were able to erase the 0-2 deficit but trailed 2-6 in the tie-breaker before winning the next six points to never look back.

 

Fernanda Rodrigues had 28 points, including a tournament-high 8 blocks, to spearhead the resurgence of South American side. Rosi Montibeller and Adenizia Da Silva contributed 17 and 14 points in the victory.

 

Karina Ocasio and Aurea Cruz finished with 25 and 23 points, respectively, in the losing effort. Stephanie Enright concluded the night with 15 and Lynda Morales had 10 points, including six blocks, for Puerto Rico.

 

Brazil totaled a tournament-high 21 blocks to 13 by Puerto Rico, with Montibeller, Adenizia and Barbara Bruch contributing three blocks apiece.

 

Ze Roberto, Coach of Brazil: “It was a very difficult match. Puerto Rico played at a very high level and dominated the first two sets with a lot of calm and grabbed a big advantage. We needed more tranquility and worked better with our defense, block and attack. After the third set we began to improve and everything got more balanced. I anticipate a very intense final against any opponent either Dominican Republic or USA.”

 

Joyce Silva, player of Brazil: “We are now prepared to play the final, maybe USA or maybe the Dominican Republic. Both are very complicated. Either of the team is very strong. There is a friendly rivalry with the Dominican team.”

 

Mariana Costa, player of Brazil: “It was question of attitude and calm. We had to do so. Puerto Rico began very well but we did not surrender. We improved a lot but this was the attitude of a team. I appreciate to be considered to get in when the team and the coach needed, but It was not the effort of one, it was the effort of all of us.”

 

Jaque Carvalho, Captain of Brazil: “Today I felt good. I didn’t know when or how I began to experience some pain. I had to rest a little the match before, and today I played a couple of sets I didn’t feel any problems, but now I have to take care, to train and prepare as the finals comes on.”

 

José Mieles, Coach of Puerto Rico: “It is tough, as we faced a team more experienced that has been also two times champion at this event.  Anyway I am so proud of my players for everything they did on the court. They fought hard and came out to play well. We still have one more chance at these games as we will play for the bronze medal.  This will be a great opportunity to be on the podium for Puerto Rico”.

 

Vilmarie Mojica, player of Puerto Rico: “Brazil had been in this kind of scenario and we couldn’t capitalize some situations like the one in the tie-breaker when we were ahead 6-2.  Their serves made it very tough for us. We are proud of playing five sets twice against Brazil during the tournament and now we hope to win the bronze medal.”

 

Lynda Morales, player of Puerto Rico: “Sometimes our blocking game is not very well set, so we have to improve that as well as the defense and the consistency in serving. I think these are the issues we have to work harder. When the match began we had a good starts the first two sets. We only need to keep that consistency in our game, and we still have the chance for the bronze to prove it and keep fighting.”