Plataneros return to Carmen Z. Figueroa Arena with 5-set win over Changos

By THE STAR STAR

The Plataneros of Corozal marked their return to their home court, Carmen Z. Figueroa Arena, with an exclamation point on Friday night, defeating the Changos of Naranjito in a dramatic five-set match.

With the victory, the Plataneros kept their hopes alive to secure the only remaining ticket to the semifinals of the Men’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSM by its initials in Spanish).

The Plataneros played their previous home games at Juan C. Berríos Arena in Barranquitas, where they remained undefeated with seven consecutive victories.

Before a delirious crowd of nearly 2,000 people, Corozal came from behind to defeat an inspired Changos team with scores of 21-25, 23-25, 25-23, 27-25 and 15-10, earning two of the three points at stake.

Corozal, still in third place, improved its record to 13-6 and 37 points, while Naranjito earned one point and remains in sixth place in the standings with a record of 6-13 and 21 points.

In the fourth set, the Changos squandered a 19-17 lead after a misplayed ball that Delwin Tapia capitalized on. With a 6-4 run, capped by an attack from Spencer Olivier from zone two, the match was tied at 23. Finally, Corozal took the set in extra points, forcing the decisive fifth set.

There were ties at points 24 and 25, but the Plataneros closed out the penultimate set with consecutive attacks: one by Jalen Penrose from zone two and another by Julio Mercedes from the middle.

In the fifth set, Corozal broke an 8-8 tie with three consecutive points to pull ahead and never look back. They reached set point at 14-10 with a shared block by Mercedes and Olivier against Ángel Rivera, and sealed the victory with an effective tip by Olivier from zone four.

The top offensive players for Corozal were Olivier (28 points), Penrose (26), and Mercedes (12). Luzgardo Liciaga contributed 30 assists.

For Naranjito, Cole Gillis led with 20 points, followed by Ángel Rivera (16) and Jackson Rivera (12).

In Friday’s other results:

The Caribes of San Sebastián (17-2, 46 points) defended their home court and defeated the Gigantes of Carolina (7-12, 23 points) 3-2 in a high-intensity match. Set scores: 25-15, 35-37, 25-21, 23-25 and 21-19.

In Yauco, the Cafeteros (15-4, 40 points) dominated from start to finish and defeated the Mets of Guaynabo (2-17, 9 points) 3-0. Set scores: 25-23, 25-15 and 25-14.