Costa Rica secures important straight set win against Panama

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala, September 19, 2018.- Costa Rica secured an important straight set win 3-0 825-17, 25-19, 25-23) against Panama on day three of the Men’s U23 AFECAVOL Central American Championship in Teodoro Palacios Flores of Guatemala City.

Costa Rica keeps their hopes alive earning important five points for a total of 10 ranking points and 2-2 win-loss record, while Panama drops to 2-2 record and remains with 9 points.

Costa Rica edged Panama in both technical timeouts in the first set 8-5 and 16-11 managing a comfortable lead up to the end. Set two was as solid for Costa Rica, also leading from start to finish managing a good control of the ball. Panama’s reaction in the third set kept the scored tied at 11, 15 and 20, but Costa Rica remained in command.

Costa Rica overwhelmed with 47-29 margin in spikes; they also led by a slim 10-9 in blocks and 4-1 in aces. Costa Rica allowed 14 point errors and scored on 20 Panamanian errors.

Gilberth Solano carried Costa Rica with 25 points including 22 kills; joined by Oscar Ramirez with 13 points on 10 kills and 3 blocks. Felix Williams once again led Panama with 16 points, the only player with double-digits.

Costa Rica (2-2) will rest on Thursday, while Panama (2-2) faces Belize (0-2).

Costa Rican captain Jason Brown their tactic game plan was concrete “we executed well, we studied our opponent, we knew what to do thanks to our Data Volley coach (Rony) our job was directed well. Gladly, we followed instructions and things went as expected. The team was comfortable because we had studied our opponent, I still think the team has more to give, we have ups and down, but we are more confident and we must keep like this, with high energy because what comes is not easy”.

Coach Juan Acuña of Costa Rica indicated “I am satisfied but the team lost concentration in the last set. This is the fourth day of competition and the team shows how well prepared they are, the players were more effective, against a team like Panama that was performing really well during the past days. We were careful tactically speaking, with our Data Volley we exploited their weakness and minimized their strength. Panama faced a team that served well, attacked them and blocked them well too; we left them without tactical options to react. Now we have to look for the third place”.

Horacio Angulo coach of Panama said “my team did not play, they lacked energy, I made some changes but they didn’t react; there were too many unforced errors, our best weapon (blocking) didn’t work either. Our setter wasn’t creative; he didn’t give many options for a better performance as the previous games. We gave life to a team that was out of the run, granting them five points”.