3-Cushion
MEDELLIN - The stage of the Pan Americans for teams was colored by the Colombians, who are the star players in the championship held in Medellin, Colombia. Two teams from the host country met in the final and played for the gold and silver medal. Colombia Colombia B defeated Colombia A: the match ended 2-2 in match points, the B team won with a two caroms lead. Heriberto Aristizabal and Gabriel Vasquez were the top finishers after they defeated Henry Diaz and Fredy Martinez. Ecuador and Colombia D stumbled in the semi-finals.
Henry Diaz, on his best again when it most mattered, was very close to a double, but couldn't bring home the win in the match against Heriberto Aristizabal (30-26). The decision in this final was in favor of Columbia B, because Gabriel Vasquez lost to Fredy Martinez on the other table, but he was only two points down at the finish.
The two champions notched up the win in the semi's when they met the only non-Colombian team in the final round with four teams. Aristizabal and Vasquez both won: Aristazabal with a big margin against Luis Aveiga (30-16 in 20), Vasquez in the final sprint against Javier Terán: 30-26 in 27.
Henry Diaz, carrying great form from the individuals, brought Colombia A through the semi-final match against Colombia D. Carlos Campino was bulldozed by the champion in a strong match (30-9 in 18). Colombia D took the other win thanks to Oscar Castano, who bested Fredy Martinez (30-15 in 21). Therefor the match ended off 2-2. Colombia A was the winner on caroms.
The junior world champion Juan Jose Garcia won the best match in the final stage, he defeated Javier Terán 30-25 in 12 (2.500/2.083).
