YAUCO, Puerto Rico, November 13, 2024.- Playing at home in the Raúl “Pipote” Oliveras Coliseum, Yauco Cafeteros rallied to secure a win in a decisive fifth set, defeating the Guaynabo Mets to even the series at two wins apiece.
The Mets, who had previously swept Yauco 3-0, stumbled with 12 service errors and 19 attack errors, crucial factors that ultimately influenced the outcome.
The Cafeteros took the win 3-2 (18-25, 26-24, 18-25, 25-19, 15-8).
With the match tied at two sets each, Cafeteros opened the fifth set with a 5-1 lead thanks to a block by Mark Frazier, a lead they would not hand over. Eddie Rivera then extended the advantage with an ace, pushing the score to 12-7. This set the stage for Diego Negrón, who scored three consecutive points, one from the left wing and two from the opposite corner, to seal the victory at 15-8.
Yauco outperformed Guaynabo 63 to 62 in attacks, 53 to 42 in digs, and 70 to 61 in receptions, though Guaynabo led 14 to 5 in blocks and 21 to 20 in assists.
The Cafeteros’ double-digit scorers were Diego Negrón with 21 points, Eddie Rivera with 17, and both Mark Frazier and Jessie Colón with 11 each.
For the Mets, Gianluca Grasso led with 24 points, followed by Inovel Romero with 15, and Hisham Yousri with 11.
Yauco’s two wins came in five-set matches, while Guaynabo’s wins were one in straight sets and the other in five.
This competitive series guarantees at least a sixth game, meaning that at least six of the potential seven games will be played.
The series resumes on Friday, November 15, at Mario Morales Coliseum in Guaynabo and returns to Pipote Oliveras on Monday, November 18. Both games are scheduled for 8:00 PM.
The other semifinal between San Sebastián Caribes (3-0) and Naranjito Changos will take place on Thursday, November 14, at 8:00 PM at the legendary Gelito Ortega court.
The semifinals are best-of-7 series, and the KIA Cup Grand Final will begin two days after the last semifinal concludes.
SEMIFINAL A SERIES
GAME #1 – Wednesday, November 6 – 8:00 PM, Yauco at Guaynabo / 2-3 (21-25, 20-25, 25-16, 25-20, 15-11)
GAME #2 – Friday, November 8 – 8:00 PM, Guaynabo at Yauco / 2-3 (28-30, 14-25, 25-17, 25-22, 15-13)
GAME #3 – Sunday, November 10 – 5:00 PM, Yauco at Guaynabo / 0-3 (25-22, 25-15, 25-23)
GAME #4 – Wednesday, November 13 – 8:00 PM, Guaynabo at Yauco / 2-3 (18-25, 26-24, 18-25, 25-19, 15-8)
GAME #5 (IF NECESSARY) – Friday, November 15 – 8:00 PM, Yauco at Guaynabo
GAME #6 (IF NECESSARY) – Monday, November 18 – 8:00 PM, Guaynabo at Yauco
GAME #7 (IF NECESSARY) – Thursday, November 21 – 8:00 PM, Yauco at Guaynabo
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