Caribes One Win Away from Sealing Semifinal B Against the Changos in the LVSM

SAN SEBASTIÁN, Puerto Rico, November 12, 2024. - The Caribes of San Sebastián achieved their seventh consecutive set win over the Changos of Naranjito in Semifinal B of the Men’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSM), putting them one victory away from reaching the Kia Cup Grand Final after a 3-0 win (25-23, 25-20, 25-21). 

San Sebastián now leads the series 3-0.

In the third set, with Caribes already up by two sets, Changos tried to pull away, setting the score at 10-5. However, a San Sebastián rally, scoring 10 points to Naranjito's 5, evened the score at 15. 

The teams remained tied until 18-18, when Pedro Nieves, attacking through the middle, and a service ace by Pelegrín Vargas gave the champions a 20-18 lead that they maintained for the rest of the set. 

Caribes reached set point at 24-20 after an error by Jorge “Titón” López from Changos in his zone four attack; San Sebastián closed the match 25-21 due to a mistake by Juan Rosa of the visitors.

San Sebastián outperformed Naranjito with 46 to 35 in attacks, 9 to 8 in blocks, 35 to 32 in digs, 41 to 34 in passing, and 21 to 12 in assists. 

The Caribes' double-digit offense was led by Jalen Penrose with 19 points, followed by Pedro Nieves and Pelegrín Vargas with 9 points each. 

For the Changos, Félix Chapman contributed 19 points, while Jorge López and Jonathan Rodríguez scored 7 points each.

This series continues Thursday, November 14, at the legendary Gelito Ortega court, home of the Changos of Naranjito. 

The game is set to start at 8:00 PM. 

The semifinal series are best-of-7. 

The Kia Cup Grand Final begins two days after the last semifinal concludes.

In Semifinal A, the Mets of Guaynabo and Cafeteros of Yauco will play Game 4 on Wednesday, November 13, at the Raúl “Pipote” Oliveras Coliseum. Guaynabo leads the series 2-1. 

The match starts at 8:00 PM.

SEMIFINAL SERIES B

GAME #1 – Thursday, November 7 – 8:00 PM 

Naranjito at San Sebastián – 2-3 (25-20, 25-18, 17-25, 22-25, 15-12) 

GAME #2 – Saturday, November 9 – 8:00 PM 

San Sebastián at Naranjito – 3-0 (25-16, 25-22, 27-25) 

GAME #3 – Tuesday, November 12 – 8:00 PM 

Naranjito at San Sebastián – 0-3 (25-23, 25-20, 25-21) 

GAME #4 – Thursday, November 14 – 8:00 PM 

San Sebastián at Naranjito 

GAME #5 (IF NECESSARY) Saturday, November 16 – 8:00 PM 

Naranjito at San Sebastián 

GAME #6 (IF NECESSARY) Tuesday, November 19 – 8:00 PM 

San Sebastián at Naranjito 

GAME #7 (IF NECESSARY)Friday, November 22 – 8:00 PM 

Naranjito at San Sebastián