YAUCO, Puerto Rico, October 23, 2026. – The Patriotas de Lares opened the 2026 Men’s Vollehyball Superior League (LVSM) season with an impressive straight-set victory over defending champions Cafeteros de Yauco, spoiling their home opener in front of more than 3,000 fans at the Raúl “Pipote” Oliveras Coliseum.
Lares prevailed 31-29, 25-22, 25-21 to collect all three available points and secure its first victory of the season.
Before the match, the Puerto Rican Volleyball Federation honored two iconic figures of the sport by dedicating the season to former players Jorge “Cubano” González Alonso and Víctor M. López Ortiz.
The third set began with an intense exchange of points, much like the opening set, before the Patriotas reached the technical timeout holding a narrow 12-11 lead.
Following the break, Lares maintained the pressure with a fast-paced offense and solid defense at the net, extending its advantage to 18-14 after a service ace by Jair Santiago.
The Patriotas moved closer to victory with a 23-19 lead, capitalizing on a service error by Jalen Penrose and a block by Jair Santiago against Gregory Torres.
Lares reached match point at 24-21 following a quick middle attack by Jonathan Rodríguez and sealed the victory on the next play with a triple block against Daniel Rivera.
The statistics reflected Lares’ superiority at the net, with a 10-4 advantage in blocks and a 20-19 edge in assists. The Cafeteros, meanwhile, led in attacks (37-34), service aces (5-4), digs (31-30), and receptions (45-32).
Kevin López and Jair Santiago led the Patriotas’ offense with 11 points each, while Jalen Penrose was Yauco’s top scorer with 12 points.
Corozal Also Surprises Naranjito in Home Opener
In the other match of the day, played at the historic Gelito Ortega court in Naranjito, the Plataneros de Corozal also spoiled the Changos’ home opener with a straight-set victory, 25-23, 25-20, 25-23.
With the win, Corozal collected all three available points and secured its first victory of the season.
Spencer Olivier led the Plataneros’ offense with 14 points, followed by Klistan Lawrence and Inovel Romero, who contributed 13 points each.
For Naranjito, Jamal Ellis was the leading scorer with 10 points.
Corozal dominated the team statistics, outscoring the Changos 38-26 in attacks, 9-8 in blocks, 6-3 in service aces, 31-26 in digs, and 25-14 in assists. Both teams finished tied with 38 receptions.
Action Continues Sunday
The opening week of competition concludes Sunday, October 25, with three matches. The Changos de Naranjito will visit the Gigantes de Adjuntas, the Cafeteros de Yauco will face the Plataneros de Corozal, and the Gigantes de Carolina will take on the Patriotas de Lares.