Coaches praise Men’s Pan American Cup

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, July 8, 2012 – The Men’s Pan American Cup is a very positive event that contributes to the development of the sport across the continent, according to the coaches of the eight teams taking part in the competition.

The coaches highlighted the importance of the event that runs until next Sunday and offers a ticket to the qualification tournament to the 2013 FIVB World League.

Argentina’s Fabian Muraco said: "We come with a very young team, reinforced with three players from the World League. We can’t be with our main selection in all competitions, but we can’t be absent here because the competition is important to develop the younger players, which in my country are many because of the success of our local league."

Canada’s veteran coach Lawrence McKay also included in its side two participants in the World League, but in general they are all young. "We seek growth in our youth team, as this is the first international challenge they face and all opponents are of quality, are very competitive, like Brazil, USA, Argentina, Mexico, the hosts and even the Trinidadians who are very fast and tall guys. This is a top quality event at a continental level."

Gideon Dickson, coach of Trinidad and Tobago, said that "despite we just participated in another competition, we seek experience and we will work hard because one of the main goals of our team is to reach the semifinals, although I recognize the level of my opponents in group A as Argentina, Canada and Dominican Republic."

Shawn Patchell, leader of the U.S. representation, will compete with a young cast, but with four players repeating from last year.

"Most of these guys have the prospect of entering the main team and the main goal is to gain the experience they need. Last year we were runners-up, behind Brazil, and we want to improve. This cup is very important for my players because they are aspiring to replace those who retire after the London Olympics."

Roberto Garcia, who led the Cuban national team from 2003 to 2007 and now takes control of Venezuela, did not hesitate to declare that "my group is very difficult because the United States and Brazil, teams that despite of not attending with a first class players know how to play good volleyball and belong to the planet’s top squads. Our purpose is to advance in our group and battle until the end for the ticket to the World League playoffs."

Leonardo Carvalho, the coach of Brazil, said: "Every time we play our first objective is to gain experience and compete. It s a great opportunity for the South Americans to face good teams from NORCECA, is an excellent exchange and a determining factor for all of them to evolve technically and individually."

Jorge Miguel Azair, coach of Mexico, is now in command of what he considers the second team, but with five players from the top squad of his country. "This Cup is the beginning of a new Olympic cycle. We are going to test these guys, who are under 23 and 21.

 We are in the revamping process for our purposes: qualifying for the World League playoffs, the World Cup, and the Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz 2014.”

Another Cuban, Osiel Vasquez, leads Dominican Republic team, one of the three countries that are competing with its luxury squad, although two of his best players are recovering from injuries.

He said: “We had little time with the team, just days, but we are working on the preparation to improve the collective work, field disposition and performance on the court to qualify us among the top six, without forgetting that we are the hosts, so we will give a nice show, using our primary weapon, attack and service.”