The Caribes Regain the Lead in the LVSM Final

SAN SEBASTIÁN, Puerto Rico, November 27, 2024.- The third match of the Men’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSM) Final Series at the Luis Aymat Cardona Coliseum went to the Caribes of San Sebastián, with a decisive 3-0 victory (25-17, 25-17, 25-20) over the Mets of Guaynabo.

Both teams entered the game tied with one win apiece after the Mets overcame the Caribes in a five-set thriller in the second match of the series. Tonight, San Sebastián showed why they are the defending champions.

Caribes outperformed the Mets in attacks (43-29), blocks (7-0), aces (9-4), and sets (25-24). Both teams ended tied in digs with 27, while the Mets had the edge in assists (9-8).

After the commanding win, Pelegrín Vargas Jr. of the Caribes stated: “Well, I’m not going to lie to you; this game showed a lot of character from us. They had a great match in Guaynabo, and without taking anything away from them, I think we were able to do better tonight. We made the necessary adjustments, came focused, and used our home crowd to our advantage. They were our seventh player, and I think that made the difference. That’s what series are all about.”

When asked if this result signaled the end of the series, Vargas added: “No, sir, no, sir. This is the third game, and it’s the best of seven. We haven’t accomplished anything yet. We have to keep moving forward, stay united, and make the necessary adjustments game by game.”

Gregory Torres of the Mets commented: “We didn’t expect this result, especially after the great match we had at home. But credit to the other team, they played really well. Even though we’re not an easy team to beat, they played quite well.”

Regarding the difference between this game and the last, Torres pointed out: “I think it was a lack of focus. We were a bit unfocused, arrived late, and didn’t have enough time to prepare calmly or follow our usual pregame ritual. These are things you face traveling to different venues, and not all trips are the same.”

The top scorers for Caribes were Pelegrín Vargas with 24 points (17 attacks, 2 blocks, 5 aces), followed by Jalen Penrose with 13 points, and Pablo Guzmán and Pedro Nieves, each with 7 points.

For the Mets, Inovel Romero scored 10 points, and Gianluca Grasso added 8.

Before the match, Dr. César H. Trabanco, President of the Puerto Rican Volleyball Federation, presented plaques to the players awarded this season's individual honors.

The series moves to the Mario “Quijote” Morales Coliseum in Guaynabo this Friday, November 29, for the fourth match. The best-of-seven series will continue, with the game scheduled to begin at 8:00 PM.

FINAL SERIES 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) 2-3 (25-22, 20-25, 20-25, 28-26, 18-16)
Game 3: Wednesday, November 27, 2024: Guaynabo at San Sebastián (8 PM) 0-3 (25-17, 25-17 y 25-20)
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. +To be held at Juan “Pachín” Vicéns Auditorium in Ponce (neutral venue).