Checkmate? For the third consecutive game during the final of the 63rd Cuba’s National Baseball Series, the Leñadores (Lumberjacks) beat the Vegueros; this time, with a score of 5x2 at the Julio Antonio Mella Stadium, to be one step away from achieving the trio of crowns in domestic classics.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- The undefeated record of mentor Abeysi Pantoja in this stage of the postseason was protected by a productive first inning and the efficient work of Alejandro Meneses during five episodes, besides the tranquility provided by relievers Rodolfo Díaz and Alberto Pablo Civil. Pantoja's seventh smile places him along with Pablo Civil as the most successful manager in the battle for the title. "Victories come because we work for them; records come by themselves, although we think very little about them to avoid pressure. The most important thing is to make the trophy ours and tomorrow we will go out to look for it," said the strategist from the Balcón de Oriente (Cuban Eastern Balcony), who is looking for the second championship in a row, after achieving it in his debut in the previous campaign.

Dogged by injuries year after year, Meneses always responds to the call of his people with equal doses of faith and courage to fulfill the task. The right-hander solved half of the challenge with five hits and three strikeouts, in addition to the usual control in the commands, which gave him the confidence of yesteryear.

"Preparing for these final matches is very important, especially because they are decisive and the stands are full, but it is nice to enjoy the experience. I want to thank Dr. Blas Hernández, and the physiotherapist, Ruperto Morales, who always believed in my recovery. Thanks to their help, I was able to be on the mound today," said the pitcher in a press conference after winning his second game in the playoffs.

Vladimir Baños' stay in the "Mella" box was conditioned by the impetus of the local bats since with three hits, the Lumberjacks scored the same amount of runs in the very first inning. That initial attack would have been enough for the green and red to take the outcome, but they added two more runs in the fourth and sixth acts.

Roberto Súliban Baldoquín had a stellar performance, achieving four hits in five turns at bat, two of which were doubles, and also securing an RBI. The home team's nine hits were distributed among the first four batters in the lineup. Meanwhile, Yordanis Alarcón and Héctor Castillo drove in a teammate without even getting a hit themselves.

For the Westerners, the most significant was William Saavedra's 27th home run in the postseason, which places him at the level of Omar Linares as the greatest home run hitter. The slugger acknowledged falling short of expectations in his performance in recent games.

Unaware of new opportunities, those led by Alexander Urquiola will seek the consolation of one more day while “the owners of the forest” will fight to finish the match as soon as possible and unleash the celebrations with the people of Las Tunas.