Suriname beat Jamaica in five-setter thriller and are in semifinals

PARAMARIBO. Suriname, July 27, 2023.- Defending champion Suriname beat Jamaica in the quarter final. It was a five-set thriller 3-2 (23-25, 25-20, 20-25, 28-26, 15-9) victory for Suriname at the Anthony Nesty Sports Hall in Paramaribo.  

The opening set of the game Jamaica dominated, but Suriname fought back in the second set. Both teams were equally matched. In the decisive fifth set Suriname capitalized on the unforced errors Jamaica made in the end of the match. Suriname committed 30 unforced errors and Jamaica 38.

Opposite Zefanio Breinburg led with 21 points, joined by outside hitter and team captain Keven Sporkslede with 16 points. Outside hitter David Pinas who made most of the points in de last set ended with 11 points for Suriname. Opposite Owayne Lawrence had a game high 21 points for Jamaica and outside hitter Ryck Webb contributed with 17 points.   

Orta, coach of Suriname: “I was not worry about Jamaica, nevertheless they have a great team. We saw them play yesterday and adjust our game plan. We knew that they wouldn’t have not much energy left in the tank. I am happy for Suriname and my team. We are one win away for the final.”

Keven Sporkslede, Captain of Suriname “We have home court advantage and that actually helped us a bit. Coming back from behind I think we have a strong group. Now that we are playing in the semi-finals, we have to stay focused.”

David Pinas, outside hitter of Suriname: “I saw that we were ahead in the fifth set and thought to seize the moment and score those points. Lucky for me they were all made. Jamaica is a strong team, but we knew when to score the points.”

Delford Morgan, Captain of Jamaica: “We made too many unforced errors in the last part of the game. We know we have one game left to play. This is disappointing, because we know that this team is capable of reaching the final and win it all.”