Plataneros rally past Mets in 5 sets in LVSM

The Plataneros of Corozal rallied to a five-set win over the Mets of Guaynabo in the second LVSM match of the season for both teams.

By THE STAR STAFF

The Plataneros of Corozal fell behind the Mets of Guaynabo two sets to one on the road Sunday night, but rallied to a five-set victory in a Men’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSM by its initials in Spanish) match at Mario “Quijote” Morales Coliseum.

The scores were 22-25, 28-26, 19-25, 28-26 and 15-8.

The Mets, with a 2-1 lead in sets, failed to hold on to an 18-13 advantage in the fourth set. Although they reached set point first (24-23), they fell on extra points. The Plataneros then raised their game, taking early leads in the sudden-death set, 3-0 and then 8-4, and Guaynabo could not recover.

With the win, Corozal improved to 1-1 with 3 points overall. Guaynabo remained winless in their two outings, although they earned a point in the loss.

Spencer Olivier scored 25 points for Corozal, while Elián Rivera and Carlos Berlingeri added 12 and 11 points, respectively.

For Guaynabo, Inovel Romero and Gregory Torres each scored 22 points, while Josué Rivera chipped in 17.

The Plataneros bested the Mets 60-59 in attacks, 62-59 in defense, 59-57 in passes and 35-19 in assists. Guaynabo outblocked Corozal 18-12, and finished with a 3-2 edge in aces.

Corozal is in sixth place in the standings, while Guaynabo is in seventh.

At Guillermo Angulo Coliseum in Carolina, meanwhile the Patriotas of Lares stunned the home team by defeating the Gigantes in straight sets, 25-22, 26-24 and 25-22.

Lares earned all three available points and moved up to second place in the standings with a 2-0 record and 5 points. Carolina didn’t earn any points and remains in fourth place with a 1-1 record and 3 points.

Lares’ offense was distributed in double digits among Pablo Guzmán (11 points), Jair Santiago (10) and Jonathan Rodríguez (10).

Félix Chapman led Carolina with 20 points.

In Yauco, the Caribes of San Sebastián defeated the host Cafeteros in straight sets, 25-20, 25-18 and 25-20.

San Sebastián moved up to first place with a 2-0 record and 6 points, while Yauco fell to 1-1 record with 2 points, occupying fifth place in the young season.

Pelegrín Vargas led the Caribes’ offense with 11 points. Brandon Rattray had 13 points for the Cafeteros.

Today in the LVSM:

• Corozal at Carolina (8 p.m.)

• Adjuntas at San Sebastián (8 p.m.)

• Naranjito at Guaynabo (8 p.m.).