YAUCO, Puerto Rico, December 28, 2025. – The Cafeteros de Yauco opened their semifinal series in strong fashion, sweeping the Plataneros de Corozal 3–0 (25–20, 27–25, 25–20) at the Raúl “Pipote” Oliveras Coliseum during Saturday’s action of the Men’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSM).
Yauco’s victory was fueled by the offense of Juan Felipe Castañeda, who tallied 14 points—12 kills and 2 blocks. He was followed by Brandon Rattray with 13 points and Diego Negrón with 12.
The second set was the most tightly contested of the match. Yauco took an 18–14 lead after a zone-two attack by Rattray and a block by Kevin Rodríguez on Spencer Olivier. The Cafeteros reached set point at 24–22 with a zone-four spike by Castañeda, but Corozal answered with two straight points—an attack by Jalen Penrose and a block on Rattray—to force extra points.
After a 25–25 tie, Yauco withstood Corozal’s push and closed the set to go up 2–0, thanks to an off-speed attack error by Olivier from zone two and a one-on-one block by Castañeda on Olivier.
The third set was fully controlled by the Cafeteros, who built a 21–13 lead following another attack by Castañeda. Set point came at 24–18 with the team’s 10th block of the match, and the victory was sealed at 25–20 with a quick middle attack by veteran Jessie Colón.
Yauco outperformed Corozal 41–33 in kills, 10–4 in blocks, and 16–9 in assists. The Plataneros led in digs (33–28) and receptions (35–29). Both teams finished with two aces.
For Corozal, Spencer Olivier led the offense with 14 points. He was recently named the league’s Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive year.
The best-of-seven series, in which the first team to win four matches advances, continues Monday, December 29, at the Carmen Z. Figueroa court in Corozal, starting at 8:00 p.m.
Semifinal A between the Caribes de San Sebastián (1–0) and the Patriotas de Lares (0–1) continues this Sunday at 5:00 p.m. at the Félix Méndez Acevedo Coliseum.
English 
Spanish