Day 8 summary from the XVIIth U.A.N.A. Pan American Junior Men's Championships

Game #48 MEX 12 PUR 11 (9/10 PLACEMENT GAME)

In a game the decided 7-8 positions, Mexico was able to withstand the Puerto Rico attack. The game was dead even for the first half. Puerto Rico scored their goals mostly on their extra man, while Mexico scored from either the centre position or from outside shots.

During the second half, Mexico’s defense on the extra man tightened up and was able to contain the constant Puerto Rico attack. Mexico’s strength from the centre post was the key in the second half. They scored half their goals from centre post and the rest from plays the generated from that position. Armando Gilbert (#10) was key with his outside shooting and precise penalty shots. He led the Mexico team with four goals. Luis Mojica (#4) scored three goals for Puerto Rico.

Referees:  Joe Peila (USA) and Jose WERNER (BRA)
UANA Delegate:  Takeshi INOUE and Rick VALOUCHE

Game #49 VEN 10 TRI 4 (5/6 PLACEMENT GAME)

Trinidad and Tobago played Venezuela for positions 5-6. Venezuela came out strong, scoring in consecutive counter attacks to open a 2-0 lead in the first. During the second quarter, Trinidad was able to score in extra man, but Venezuela came back with goals from centre post and from outside shots to increase their lead 4-1 at halftime.

In the third quarter, both teams came out strong. Trinidad used the extra man opportunities and Venezuela attacked constantly from the outside to increase their lead by one more goal, finishing the quarter ahead 7-3. For the last quarter, Venezuela played smart at the onset, but Trinidad kept coming back. They scored on an extra man situation and played tough man to man defense. Venezuela responded with three counter attacks of their own to put the game out of reach. Rojas (#7) from Venezuela was the top scorer for the game with 4 goals. Ryan West (#12) was the best scorer for Trinidad and Tobago.

Referees: Humberto NAVARRO (USA) and Hélène PAINCHAUD (CAN)
UANA Delegate:  Guillermo PACHECO and Manuel DE JESUS

Game #52 COL 8 CAN 10 (MEN'S BRONZE MEDAL GAME)

In the bronze medal game for men, Colombia came out playing with  more desire than Canada. They were playing a very wise defense and not forcing the offensive game. Their game consisted on getting the ball to centre post and trying to get either an extra man or a easy outside shot. Canada couldn’t get a flow on the offensive system, scoring only three goals at the half. Colombia was able to score more fluidly and take a 6-3 lead.

In the third quarter both teams exchanged counter attacks without been able to score. Canada used an extra man situation to score the lone goal of the quarter. Colombia was hard pressed in offense and was happy to let the 30 second clock run out without taking a shot. Canada’s outside shooting was not up to par during the quarter, missing at least five outside shots from the perimeter. During the last quarter, Canada was able to score on the first extra man opportunity to close the gap to one goal. With 5:16 to go, Canada was able to counter off a Colombia turnover and tie the game at 6. In the next two possessions Canada was able to score on extra man, taking an 8-6 lead. Colombia never gave up and, with 22 seconds left in the game, they scored on a centre shot to tie the game. Canada’s David Lapins (#8) forced his way to centre post and scored the winning goal with 8 seconds left.  With the win Canada earned the bronze medal for the tournament.

Referees: Hugo PARADES (VEN) and Gene DEL VALLE (PUR)
UANA Delegate:  Takeshi INOUE and Jim CULLINGHAM

Game #53 BRA 10 USA 7 (MEN'S GOLD MEDAL GAME)

The gold medal game lived up to the fan’s expectations from the start. USA came on top in the first quarter, thanks to a perimeter and an inside water shot. Brazil countered with an outside shot to close the gap 2-1. In the second quarter, Brazil went on to play aggressive defense and shooting from the outside at every chance they had. That opened their inside game, which they used to score two goals. What was a USA lead vanished in this quarter, with Brazil leading 6-4.

In the critical third quarter, both teams scored two goals. USA scored on a 7 meter shot and a centre shot, while Brazil’s goals came from a counter attack and an extra man situation. For the last quarter, Brazil already two men down on misconduct fouls, USA mounted a strong man to man defense to try to wear down the opponent. Brazil kept their composure and played a smart opportunistic game, to be able to score on a penalty and an extra man, to get the win by the score of 10-7. With the win Brazil wins the gold medal.

Referees: Borut CERNIC (CAN) and Wilmer POZO (PER)
UANA Delegate:  William SHAW and Manuel DE JESUS