PR tops host Guatemala to earn shot at 5th place in boys’ U17 Pan American Cup

Puerto Rico came from behind to defeat Guatemala 3-2 on Saturday at the volleyball Boys’ U17 Pan American Cup in Guatemala City.

By THE STAR STAFF

In a volleyball match that lasted over two hours, Puerto Rico came from behind to defeat host Guatemala, 3-2 (25-22, 22-25, 30-32, 25-21, 15-8) on Saturday at the Boys’ U17 Pan American Cup at Guatemala City’s Domo Polideportivo.

The win positioned Puerto Rico (1-3) to play Costa Rica for fifth place on Sunday.

The Puerto Rican attack functioned best in the first set, leading to a three-point win. In the second set, Guatemala made its adjustments and capitalized on several unforced errors by Puerto Rico to even the match.

Guatemala overcame a four-point deficit in a hard-fought extended third set, ultimately prevailing to take a 2-1 lead. Puerto Rico regained control in the fourth set, forcing a deciding fifth set in which they took an early lead and won by a comfortable margin.

“The frustration from the losses in the early games caused our team to lose focus, and we nearly paid a heavy price for it,” coach Hernán Torres said.

Five Puerto Rican players scored in double figures. Gabriel Soto, Josué Machín and Adrián Córdova finished with 13 points each; Córdova also stood out with six blocks. Antonio Figueroa contributed 11 points and Sebastián Colón added 10.

Javier Pérez led Guatemala with 19 points, Óscar Velásquez finished with 17, and Eduardo Palala contributed 11.

Puerto Rico outperformed Guatemala 58-50 in attacks, 15-11 in blocks and 4-1 in aces.