YAUCO, Puerto Rico, November 8, 2024. – Cafeteros de Yauco came from behind at the Raúl “Pipote” Oliveras Coliseum to even the Semifinal A series of the Men’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSM) at one win apiece against the Mets de Guaynabo in a match that extended to five sets.
In the series opener, the Mets overcame a 0-2 deficit to claim victory in the full five sets. This time, Yauco returned the favor by mounting a comeback to secure their own revenge.
Abel Franceschi Ibarrondo, coach of the Cafeteros de Yauco, said, “This is truly a series in which Guaynabo has great depth. As for us, Diego Rosich came off the bench and did his job. If we look back, this series has been saved by the substitute player each time, and that’s very important for both teams. The important thing is that we were able to get our revenge today, tie the series, and defend our home court.”
Regarding what Cafeteros need to do to secure a lead in their next home game, Franceschi Ibarrondo added, “We’re just staying focused on the game plan. This is a young team, and it’s hard to keep them on the game plan for long stretches. We continue working on that aspect with them, and this series will be won by whichever team makes fewer mistakes.”
The scores were 28-30, 14-25, 25-17, 25-22, and 15-13.
In the third set, with two sets down, Cafeteros regrouped and took control. Mark Frazier attacked well from zone four to secure the set at 21-14, and they closed the set at 25-17 with a successful attack from Diego Negrón in zone four.
In the fourth set, Yauco broke away 16-12 and eventually won the set 25-22 following a missed serve from Guaynabo’s Juan C. Ribas, forcing a decisive fifth set.
In the fifth set, after seven ties, Cafeteros took the lead at the court switch with a middle attack from Iván Fernández. The teams stayed tied until point 11; then Diego Negrón scored an ace, and Jessie Colón blocked Gianluca Grasso, pulling Yauco ahead at 13-11. They reached match point at 14-12 with an attack from Rosich in zone four and sealed the win at 15-13 after a missed serve by Grasso.
Yauco outperformed Guaynabo in defense, 46 to 42, while both teams tied with 58 kills and 31 assists. The Mets led in blocks, 11 to 10, and in receptions, 62 to 58.
For Cafeteros, top scorers were Mark Frazier with 26 points, Diego Negrón with 17, and Jessie Colón with 9 points. For the Mets, Gianluca Grasso led with 18 points, followed by Rafael Burgos and Inovel Romero with 15 points each.
The series returns to the Mario “Quijote” Morales Coliseum in Guaynabo this Sunday, November 10, for Game 3, scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM.
The semifinal series are best of 7-4. The Grand Final KIA Cup will begin two days after the final semifinal concludes.
SEMIFINAL A SERIES
GAME #1 – Wednesday, November 6 – 8:00 PM Yauco in Guaynabo / 2-3 (21-25, 20-25, 25-16, 25-20, 15-11)
GAME #2 – Friday, November 8 – 8:00 PM Guaynabo in Yauco / 2-3 (28-30, 14-25, 25-17, 25-22, 15-13)
GAME #3 – Sunday, November 10 – 5:00 PM Yauco in Guaynabo
GAME #4 – Wednesday, November 13 – 8:00 PM Guaynabo in Yauco
GAME #5 (IF NECESSARY) – Friday, November 15 – 8:00 PM Yauco in Guaynabo
GAME #6 (IF NECESSARY) – Monday, November 18 – 8:00 PM Guaynabo in Yauco
GAME #7 (IF NECESSARY) – Thursday, November 21 – 8:00 PM Yauco in Guaynabo
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