Mexico finished fifth at Men’s Pan Am Cup

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, July 14, 2012 – Mexico claimed fifth place in the Men’s Pan American Cup after outdueling Canada in a match of five sets (25-17, 22-25, 25-22, 18-25 y 15-13) that lasted almost two hours.

Opposite Daniel Vargas spearheaded the Mexican offense with 18 points, followed by Marco Macías (17) and Leonardo Manzo and Ismael Guerrero with 12 apiece.

Canadian Dane Pischke with 27 points was the top scorer in the match with 27 points and James Marshall added 15.

A tired Pedro Rangel, captain of the winners, said: “It was a complicated match that we didn’t expect to go as long as it went. The fatigue and pains were starting to show and bother because most of the guys are out of shape.”

Coach Jorge Miguel Azair commented: “We achieved our objective of watching those who will be promoted to the main national team towards the Qualifiers to the World Championship and the Central American and Caribbean Games of Veracruz 2014.”

Lawrence McKay, coach of Canada, stated: “Our reception was very poor and Mexico’s serve was very good which caused problems to us. But the sets we won were well deserved with few errors. Our rivals played better but my team battled until the end.”