El Salvador upsets front runners Costa Rica

PANAMA CITY, Panama, August 28, 2014 – El Salvador scored the biggest surprise of the U23 Men’s Central American Championship with a sensational comeback victory over undefeated Costa Rica in five sets 3-2 (13-25, 21-25, 28-26, 25-22, 16-14) in the penultimate day of the competition.

Both teams have now win-loss records of 4-1 with Costa Rica still ahead with 20 points to 16 for El Salvador.

Rodrigo Chavez topped the winners with 21 points while Alberto Blanco and Ricky Vargas each had 20 points in the loss.

Cesar Salas and Blanco, coach and captain of Costa Rica, both recognized there was an excess of confidence and underestimated the opponent. Now they are obliged to win against Nicaragua on Friday to win the title.

Ricardo Rivera, coach of El Salvador, gave credit to his players who believed in themselves and gave an extra effort on the court. Chavez said they appealed to their technical resources and the success attained led them to shake off the respect for a rival like the Costa Ricans.