Yauco returns to the LVSM Final after 29 years

YAUCO, Puerto Rico, January 11, 2026. – The Cafeteros de Yauco became the opponents of the Caribes de San Sebastián in the final series of the Men’s Superior Volleyball League on Sunday night, after defeating the Plataneros de Corozal in a decisive seventh match by 3-2 (25-21, 21-25, 22-25, 25-19, 15-10). With the victory, the Yauco franchise returns to a championship series for the first time since 1997.

Corozal controlled the third set to take a two-sets-to-one lead, but in the fourth frame Yauco responded with authority. They reached set point at 24-18 following a sequence of blocks: Juan Felipe Castañeda stuffed Jalen Penrose on a zone-two attack, followed by another block on Ramón Matos through the middle, an error by Penrose that left the ball in the net, and an additional block on Joseph Oquendo.

Jessie Colón sealed the set 25-19 with a middle attack, forcing the decisive fifth set.

In the final frame, the Cafeteros pulled away again to a 12-8 lead after a net violation by Julio Mercedes and an attack by Penrose that hit the antenna.

With the score at 13-9, Yadiel Nadal added an ace, and the victory was secured at 15-10 following a service error by Carlos Berlingeri.

Yauco’s offense was led by Brandon Rattray with 22 points, followed by Jessie Colón (14), Diego Negrón (12), and Juan Felipe Castañeda (10). For Corozal, Jalen Penrose topped all scorers with 29 points, with Spencer Olivier adding 20 and Joseph Oquendo 10.

Final Series Schedule

- Thursday, January 15: Yauco at San Sebastián (8:00 p.m.)
(Félix Méndez Acevedo Court, Lares)

- Saturday, January 17: San Sebastián at Yauco (8:00 p.m.)

- Monday, January 19: Yauco at San Sebastián (8:00 p.m.)

- Wednesday, January 21: San Sebastián at Yauco (8:00 p.m.)

- Friday, January 23: Yauco at San Sebastián (8:00 p.m.) (if necessary)

- Sunday, January 25: San Sebastián at Yauco (7:00 p.m.) (if necessary)

- Tuesday, January 27: Yauco at San Sebastián (8:00 p.m.) (if necessary)