GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala, October 21, 2025.– Panama captured the bronze medal in the men’s volleyball tournament at the 12th Central American Games Guatemala 2025 with a thrilling five-set victory over Belize 3-2 (27-25, 23-25, 25-22, 21-25, 15-12).
For Panama, this marks their second bronze medal in the history of the Central American Games, their first coming in 2013. Overall, Panama has earned three gold medals and one silver in the regional event’s history.
AFECAVOL: GUATEMALA 2025 – VOLEIBOL
The opening set was a tight battle, with both teams displaying strong offense — Kaelen Ingram for Belize and Ludrik West for Panama — remaining tied at 10 points. Panama pulled ahead 18-15, but Belize fought back to force an extended finish. Panama sealed the set 27-25 with a sharp attack from Víctor Pérez that Elton Anderson couldn’t control.
The second set followed the same intensity. Belize took a three-point lead at 20, powered by the offense of Francis Hauze and Ingram, and blocking of Kyron Sutherland. Panama tied at 23 after two Belize errors and a spectacular monster block by Félix Williams over Ingram, but Hauze closed the set with two powerful kills to level the match at one set apiece.
In the third set, Panama came from behind to tie at 17 points. After a series of intense rallies, Williams led the offense as Panama gained a decisive lead. A service error by Sutherland handed Panama the 25-22 win.
Belize answered back in the fourth, even though Panama jumped ahead 11-8 with the help of Gherson Ortiz. Belize tied the score at 19 with a Hauze spike and, with a strong finish, took the set 25-21 with a block by Sutherland and a winning hit by Ingram, forcing the tie-break.
In the final set, both teams stayed neck and neck throughout. Panama secured victory after an error form Belize and a controversial play that ended the set 15-12, triggering Panama’s celebration.
The stats reflected the intensity of the contest: Panama controlled the service line (3-0) and made fewer errors (25-27), while Belize held a slight edge in attacks (72-71) and blocks (12-10).
Top scorers for Panama were Félix Williams with 25 points, Gherson Ortiz with 22, and Ludrik West with 10. For Belize, Francis Hauze led all scorers with 27 points, followed by Kaelen Ingram with 25, Eleazar Mejía with 12, and Kerwin Palacio with 11.
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