PUEBLA, Mexico, July 25, 2025 – The BUAP Arena witnessed a hard-fought match from start to finish tonight between the host nation and Guatemala, where Mexico earned its first victory in the NORCECA Men’s Final Four in front of spectators that consistently supported the home team.
In three thrilling sets, the match concluded with a score of 3-0 (27-25, 28-26, 30-28). Guatemala was superior in effective attacks with a total of 43 to Mexico’s 41, and in blocking points, 12-9. Andy Leonardo was the Guatemala´s top scorer, adding 15 total points, 13 of them on attacks, 1 on aces, and 1 on blocks.
Mexican outside hitter Oziel Aguirre, in his first experience with the senior team, led his team with 18 points, 15 on kills and 3 blocks, becoming the player with the most total points on the first day of competition.
At the end of the match, Aguirre commented: “We’re here to give our best, and I want to keep working hard to contribute as much as I can to the team. It’s great to play at home with the fans supporting us.
This is just the beginning; it’s the first game, but we’re going to keep improving, getting into the swing of things, and I hope it turns out as well as possible.”
Mexico’s captain commented, “I think the victory was a good first step, but not how we got it.
I think we have a lot to improve, especially on the service line. There were specific moments where we missed serves and gave away a large number of points to Guatemala at the end of the set. Perhaps it was a mix of nervousness, pressure, and indecision that we need to work on, but playing at home with our families is always very motivating, and we’re sure to improve.”
Guatemala’s captain shared, “We come to these events knowing they’re high-level events. The three opposing teams are strong, and today the team gave their all. We never gave up. In the third set, we were way down and we managed to tie it, on the verge of winning, but our mistakes cost us the match.
It leaves us feeling good, especially because of the participation of the U-23 youth team. They played very well, and that motivates us.”
Tomorrow, Guatemala will face Puerto Rico, and Mexico will face the Dominican Republic.
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