Definition with controversy and sanctions: the reasons for San Martín to be crowned or Alianza to take the final of the Volleyball League to the third match

It’s an act of faith. A matter of believing. To know that greatness lies in knowing how to get up to celebrate. And this is what San Martín University showed not only in the first final of the National Volleyball League, played on Friday night: it has proven it in recent years to tell Peruvian sport that the saints have earned their place in history of the League with five titles and it will not be easy to take that label away from them.

Because it is the same San Martín that in 2021 lost almost the entire squad due to debt and that in 2022 was relegated and played the Reclassification Tournament to return to first class. Yes, in four years a lot of things happened in the university halls, but they never gave up. They didn’t stop believing.

And what happened on Friday night was a reflection of that drive. They had triple match point against them after four long sets against Alianza. But the Saints were there to come back and win the first final 3-2. Today, this afternoon, they go out to play the match that could consecrate them for the sixth time in their history.

San Martín dominated the Volleyball League between 2013 and 2019 with five titles in six editions – and before that it had already played in two finals in 2011-12 and 2012-13. Today from 5:30 pm, you can relive another day of glory if you beat Alianza again in the second final. Armas has, from the power of each dunk by Fernanda Tomé, the solvency of Eliana Pérez, the arming of Shiamara Almeida, the jumps of Brenda Lobatón and the saves of the libero Pamela Cuya. And with the guarantee of not having lost any of the 23 matches he played.

“If we win it is because of the strength of the team, because we are a very strong team and each one did a little more,” highlights Fernanda Tomé, the team’s top scorer and the second in the tournament – total of 427, just below the 454 by Alondra Tapia de Geminis-. The Brazilian is also the best receiver and the Saints have the best setter in the competition, in Shiamara with 30.96% efficiency.

The winning mentality, the strong mentality helped to win the game. We are happy because we trained very hard to become champions. We go out with everything because there is motivation and trust with my teammates

Brenda Lobatón, San Martín player

Although the definition began yesterday, after the FPV sanctioned technicians Vinicius Gamino (San Martín) and Rafael Petry (Alianza) with three months, in addition to a punishment for the Alliance assistant Martha Carrillo and a financial fine for both clubs, for the acts of violence after the first game.

The sanction came for both institutions because the acts occurred on both sides, after the Saint coach invaded the blue and white field when celebrating the final victory. The tournament regulations establish penalties for each of the actors in the events that fouled the closing of the match.

intimate pressure

alliance has three fights this afternoon: the fight against San Martín, against the pressure and against the heavy backpack that says that they have never won since the League was played (2002) and that their last national title dates back to 1993, in the remembered National Volleyball Superior Division (Disunvol).

And, above all, he faces the frustration of having reached the last three finals and having lost them – all against Regatas. A fourth setback would be a hard blow to La Victoria, which has opted for volleyball with a significant financial effort. That is the challenge, that is the fuel.

He could have won on Friday, but he wasted the three match points he had in his favor. She has plenty of courage, she has good players in each position – Maeva Orlé is brilliant in attack and is the best opponent in the tournament – ​​but that part of the definition is costing her in critical moments.

It will be an ending like the most beloved sport in Peru deserves. The weight of all the history that Alianza Lima has, to force a third match – which would be on Sunday the 28th – or the faith of a team made to win volleyball titles like San Martín, which never stops believing.