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SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, September 1, 2015. - Panamá won over
Belize in straight sets 25-18, 25-23, 25-14 at day five of the
Men’s U-21 XVI Central American Championship being held at San
Salvador.
Panamá improves their record 3-2 and with the win adds five
points for a total of 12. Belize still is win-less 4-0 and has 2
points.
It was a slow game. Panama won the first set 25-18 with less
errors than Belize, both squads lacked energy. The score was
very close in the second set; both offensive lines attacked with
power and sometimes timidly; errors were similar and the score
was tied on several occasions.
Panama took the set 25-23. In the third set Belize held
advantage up to the second technical time-out 16-11; en the
dynamic changed when Panama pushed harder while serving.
Panama held huge advantage over Belize in spikes 42-19 and
advantage in aces 3-1. Belize had better blocking 3-2. Panama
scored on 28 errors from Belize, and committed 32.
Panama’s captain, Opposite Uriel Batista led all scorers with 19
points, 16 on spikes, 1 block and 2 aces. Outside Hitter Drayan
Bouche contributed with 10 points, all on spikes and Esteban
Gonazalez added 9. Gabriel Nunez led Belize with 6 points.
Uriel Batista said “we played their rhythm, except in the third
set when we improved. We must motivate us more to respond better
and not depend on the other teams’ performance; tomorrow we must
do better against Honduras. I want to thank the support of
everyone back home and especially to my girlfriend Yileen”.
Captain Alwyn Mahung of Belize said “our energy was off. I
believe the referee was too tough. Panama’s blocking was too
difficult to pass. For the next match we hope to be more
focused”.
Coach Horacio Angulo of Panama said “my team is physically and
mentally exhausted; the loss against Guatemala really hurt them
and it shows. Tomorrow we’ll work on the team’s state of mind to
face Honduras. Today we won 5 important points winning 3-0, this
was our objective”. |
