Yauco returns to LVSM finals after 29 years

The Cafeteros of Yauco last played in the Men’s Superior Volleyball League finals in 1997.

By THE STAR STAFF

The Cafeteros of Yauco will play the Caribes of San Sebastián in the finals of the Men’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSM by its initials in Spanish), after coming from behind to win the seventh match of Semifinal B against the Plataneros of Corozal on Sunday night.

Yauco’s last appearance in a final was in 1997. This year’s edition of the best-of-seven title series begins on Thursday at the Caribes’ home court in Lares.

Corozal dominated the third set to take a two-sets-to-one lead, but Yauco stormed back in the fourth set, reaching set point at 24-18 after a series of blocks: Juan Felipe Castañeda’s block of Jalen Penrose’s attack from zone two, another block on Ramón Matos in the middle, an error by Penrose that sent the ball into the net, and an additional block on Joseph Oquendo.

Jessie Colón closed out the set for Yauco at 25-19 with a spike through the middle, forcing a deciding fifth set.

In the final set, the Cafeteros pulled ahead 12-8 after a net violation by Julio Mercedes and an attack by Penrose that went out of bounds.

With the score 13-9, Yadiel Nadal added an ace, and the victory came at 15-10 for Yauco on a service error by Carlos Berlingeri.

The set scores were 25-21, 21-25, 22-25, 25-19 and 15-10.

Yauco’s offense was led by Brandon Rattray (22 points), Colón (14), Diego Negrón (12) and Castañeda (10). Penrose led Corozal with 29 points, followed by Spencer Olivier (20) and Oquendo (10).