Caribes One Win Away from LVSM Final After Comeback

Victory Over Patriotas

SAN SEBASTIÁN, Puerto Rico, December 30, 2025. – The two-time defending champions, Caribes de San Sebastián, moved to within one victory of advancing to the finals of the Men’s Volleyball Superior League (LVSM) on Tuesday night, after rallying from behind at the Luis Aymat Cardona Coliseum to defeat the Patriotas de Lares in five sets.

With set scores of 18-25, 19-25, 25-15, 25-21, and 15-11, San Sebastián also spoiled the debut on the sideline of Enrique “Papolito” López, who took over the reins following the departure—after the second match of the series—of José “Fredy” Bujosa, now the former Patriotas head coach.

With two sets apiece, the fifth set opened tightly contested, with ties through point four. It was then that Mark Frazier and Howard García gave the Caribes a two-point edge, a margin they would never relinquish. Frazier attacked with precision from zone two, while García capitalized on a poorly handled ball by the Patriotas.

An effective attack by Pelegrín Vargas from zone four, followed by a block against Garrett Muagututia, pushed the Caribes to set point at 14-10. The victory was sealed at 15-11 with another Vargas spike, once again breaking through the opposing block from zone four.

San Sebastián controlled most statistical categories: 68-53 in kills, 7-4 in service aces, 63-48 in digs, 46-39 in receptions, and 23-15 in assists. The Patriotas held the advantage only in blocking, 7-6.

Leading the balanced offense for San Sebastián were Corey Chavers, Pelegrín Vargas, and Mark Frazier with 25, 18, and 16 points, respectively.

For Lares, Johan León, Jair Santiago, and Garrett Muagututia finished with 17, 15, and 14 points, respectively.

The series resumes on Saturday, January 3, at the Félix Méndez Acevedo Coliseum, home of the Patriotas de Lares. A Caribes victory would secure the first ticket to the finals; if Lares manages to extend the series, it will return to the Luis Aymat Cardona Coliseum on Monday, January 5, 2026.

In Semifinal B, the series between the Cafeteros de Yauco and the Plataneros de Corozal—tied at one win apiece—will continue this Friday, January 2, at the Raúl “Pipote” Oliveras Coliseum starting at 8:00 p.m.

The semifinal series are played in a best-of-seven format, with the first team reaching four victories advancing..