SAN SEBASTIÁN, Puerto Rico, November 22, 2024. – The opening match of the Finals series in the Men’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSM) was claimed by the defending champions, Caribes de San Sebastián, with a 3-1 victory (18-25, 25-19, 25-22, 25-19) over the Mets de Guaynabo at the Luis Aymat Cardona court.
This marked the 18th consecutive win for the Caribes de San Sebastián, who have remained unbeaten since September 7.
The winning offense showed a balanced double-digit performance, led by Jalen Penrose with 22 points, including 17 kills, 2 blocks, and 3 aces. He was followed by Pelegrín Vargas with 19 points and Pedro Nieves with 10.
For the Mets de Guaynabo, Inovel Romero and Gianluca Grasso each tallied 15 points, while Gregory Torres added 14.
Howard García, setter for the Caribes de San Sebastián, commented: “We knew it was going to be a tough night. Guaynabo has a great team, but I think we kept our composure, executed the game plan, and came out with the victory.”
Regarding the Caribes’ winning streak, García added: “This is all about hard work and dedication, lots of practice, training, hours spent analyzing stats and studying opponents. Thanks to God, we’ve been able to achieve all these victories up until tonight.”
The series continues on Sunday at the Mario “Quijote” Morales Coliseum in Guaynabo. García concluded: “We know it won’t be an easy night. Guaynabo has strong fan support, and it’s an away game for us. But we know that if we execute the game plan, we can secure the win.”
Gerardo “Gerry” De Jesús, coach of the Mets de Guaynabo, reflected on the match: “We lost our composure a bit, especially in the second set. We didn’t play well in the second and third sets. San Sebastián did their job, but statistically, it was more about what we didn’t do than what they did. We made 11 errors in the second set and 12 in the third, which cost us confidence and execution. It made us doubt, and that was the key factor.”
Regarding their plans for Game 2, De Jesús said: “We need to play cleaner volleyball, reduce errors, especially on serves, and stay calm. It’s all about execution. This game is won by executing.”
In team stats, San Sebastián outperformed Guaynabo in blocks (8-7), assists (14-13), and receptions (39-30). Guaynabo led in attacks (49-48) and digs (37-27).
FINALS SCHEDULE:
- Game 1: Friday, November 22, 2024: Guaynabo at San Sebastián (8 PM) – 1-3 (18-25, 25-19, 25-22, 25-19)
- Game 2: Sunday, November 24, 2024: San Sebastián at Guaynabo (5 PM)
- Game 3: Wednesday, November 27, 2024: Guaynabo at San Sebastián (8 PM)
- Game 4: Friday, November 29, 2024: San Sebastián at Guaynabo (8 PM)
- Game 5: Monday, December 2, 2024: Guaynabo at San Sebastián (8 PM)*
- Game 6: Wednesday, December 4, 2024: San Sebastián at Guaynabo (8 PM)*
- Game 7: Saturday, December 7, 2024: Guaynabo vs. San Sebastián (8 PM)*+
(*If necessary. +Match to be held at the Juan “Pachín” Vicéns Auditorium in Ponce, neutral court.)
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