Colombia ninth place beating Dominican Republic at Pan Am Cup

CORODOBA, Mexico, September 1, 2018. - Colombia defeated Dominican Republic 3-0 (25-23, 25-23, 27-25) to finish ninth place at the XIII Men’s Pan American Cup at the Arena Cordoba in Cordoba, Mexico.

Colombia came always behind the entire match, benefiting in the third set from a Dominican unforced error to extend the closing to 27-25.

Colombia was effective in stopping Dominican attackers with outstanding 11-1 blocking margin. Dominican Republic held a slim 39-38 margin in attacks and 6-2 in aces. Colombia committed 26 unforced errors and Dominican Republic committed 28.

Opposite player Gustavo Larrahondo scored 13 points on 10 kills, 2 blocks and one ace for Colombia, joined by wing spiker Carlos Llanos with 11 points including 9 kills and middle blocker Kevin Carabali added 10 points. Wing spiker Henry Lopez led Dominican Republic with 10 points, followed by opposite Jose Miguel Caceres with 8 points.

At the post match interview, Jose Miguel Caceres, veteran player of Dominican Republic spoke “this was my last continental championship, I am retiring in a special place for me, here at the Arena Cordoba I won the gold medal of the Central American and Caribbean Games of 2014; I am very proud of representing my country and it’s the moment for younger players to take my space. I won’t say goodbye as I will be competing at the FIVB World Championship”.

Head coach of Colombia Eliseo Ramos said his team had a good attitude “with the performance of younger players, the attitude difference. I am leaving home glad because the younger players responded well. I hope to see their development during the junior South American championship. I am calling new talented players that will give fresh blood to the national team, just like Carlos Llanos today”.

Dominican Republic’s head coach, Alexander Gutiérrez spoke about losing the advantage in the three sets, “it’s normal in matches that only decide the lower positions and even more complicated with younger players, you have to convince them to things well, but it’s part of the process we just embarked and we must be patience”.