SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, September 27, 2026.- Mexico defeated Guatemala 3-1 (25-23, 25-20, 22-25, 28-26) in a tightly contested match to earn the bronze medal at the Men’s U23 Pan American Cup.
Mexico finished the tournament with a 3-2 record, while Guatemala placed fourth with a 2-2 record.
The opening set was evenly matched, with both teams attacking with precision and power. Mexico managed to build a two-point advantage down the stretch and held on to take the set 25-23.
Mexico stayed in front throughout the second set. Guatemala remained close during the first half, but the Mexicans began to pull away after the 13-point mark and won 25-20 for a 2-0 lead.
Guatemala bounced back in the third set with strong attacking and solid defense, keeping Mexico under control to win 25-22 and extend the match.
The fourth set was the tightest of the match. Guatemala had opportunities to force a fifth set, but Mexico prevailed in a dramatic 28-26 finish to secure the bronze medal.
Mexico held the advantage in attacks 60-57, blocks 16-5 and aces 6-3. Captain Diego Ruiz was a force at the net, accounting for nine of Mexico’s 16 blocks.
Guatemala was unable to capitalize on Mexico’s 29 unforced errors, many of them coming from missed serves.
Four Mexican players scored in double figures. Fernando Cadena led the team with 23 points, including four blocks and two aces. Ruiz added 14 points, with nine blocks and one ace, while Nahum Vásquez scored 12 and Eduardo Garza 11.
Guatemala’s Jerry Durán was the match’s leading scorer with 24 points. José Luis Samayoa added 13, 16-year-old Daniel Carranza scored 12, and Saúl Álvarez finished with 11.
Diego Ruiz, captain of Mexico, explained: “We are very happy. For some of us, this is our last year, and winning a medal is special. It was a very tight match. We started slowly and Guatemala made things very difficult for us. In the end, we were able to close out the fourth set, and we’re happy. It was a good tournament.”
Reider Lucas, head coach of Guatemala: “Mexico started very aggressively and their float serve caused us a lot of problems. We gradually adjusted to their serve and worked our way back into the match. We were able to come back in the third set, but we couldn’t close out the fourth. We’re happy with fourth place, but not satisfied.”