Santiago Scala selected the top Argentinian playing abroad in last week's games

We bring you last week's top performances from Argentinians who are playing abroad and who all have had prior experience of national team duties at youth or senior level.

Santiago Scala

   #1. This week's number one is former international guard Santiago Scala (187-1991, currently plays in Brazil). He was the major contributor in Vivo/Franca's victory against the closely-ranked Osasco (7-5) 103-88 in the Brazilian Paulista (third division) in Thursday night's game. Scala recorded 23 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in 32 minutes on the court. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Sesi Franca Basquete Sao Paulo (29-3) is placed first in the Paulista. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. Scala has relatively good stats this year: 11.0ppg, 4.8rpg, 3.0apg, 2FGP: 66.7% in five games he played so far. He played for the Argentinian senior national team year ago.

Cristian Cortez

   #2. Second place goes to former U19 international point guard Cristian Cortez (185-1990, currently plays in Mexico). He contributed to an easy victory against the league outsider Correcaminos (0-7) 104-86 in the Mexican LNBP (second division) on Friday night. Cortez recorded 10 points and added 5 passes in 24 minutes. Fuerza Regia Monterrey (13-3) is placed first in the LNBP. It was his team's sixth consecutive victory in a row. This year Cortez averages: 6.3ppg, 1.1rpg, 4.6apg, 2FGP: 44.0%, 3FGP: 30.8% and FT: 83.3% in seven games. He has a dual citizenship: Argentinian and Mexican. Cortez played for the Argentinian U19 national team in 9.

Jonatan Machuca

   #3. The Argentinian player who performed third best last week abroad was an experienced former U18 international point guard Jonatan Machuca (186-1989, currently plays in Brazil). He led Paschoalotto/Bauru to an easy victory against the closely-ranked Araraquara (10-2) 97-82 in the Brazilian Paulista (third division) in Friday night's game. Machuca scored 16 points and added 5 assists (was perfect 11-for-11 from the free throw line !!!). It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Zapone Gocil/Bauru Basketis placed in the Paulista. Machuca's overall stats this season are: 9.5ppg, 1.5rpg, 3.0apg, 1.3spg, 3FGP: 23.8% and FT: 94.4%(17-18). He played for the Argentinian U18 national team year ago.

Kevin Hernandez

   #4. Power forward Kevin Hernandez (205-1991, currently plays in Mexico) led Abejas to a victory against the league leader Astros (22-12) 94-83 in the Mexican LNBP (second division) on Saturday night. He recorded 14 points and blocked 3 shots (made all of his eight free throws). It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Abejas de Leon (1-15) is placed fourth in the LNBP. Hernandez's overall stats this season are: 7.3ppg, 3.8rpg and 1.1spg. He used to play for the Argentinian national team back in 22.

Agustin Caffaro

   #5. Former international center Agustin Caffaro (211-1995, currently plays in Uruguay) contributed to an easy victory against the second-ranked Verdirrojo 81-66 in the Uruguayan Metropolitan (second division) in Monday night's game. Caffaro scored 12 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in 39 minutes. Sayagois placed fourth in Places 8-14 group. This year Caffaro has relatively solid stats: 13.8ppg, 7.1rpg and 1.3apg in 12 games. He used to play for the Argentinian national team years ago.

Fabian Ramirez

   #6. Forward Fabian Ramirez (200-1990, currently plays in Uruguay) contributed to an easy victory against the third-ranked San Telmo RS crushing them 96-68 in a derby game in the Uruguayan Metropolitan (second division) last Thursday. Ramirez recorded 11 points, 5 assists and 5 steals. It was the game of the round between two top 3 ranked teams. Atletico Cordon Montevideois placed second in Places 1-7 group. Ramirez has reliable stats this season: 13.5ppg, 7.1rpg, 3.2apg and 1.7spg. He is a former international player as he played for the Argentinian senior team year ago.

Erik Thomas

   #7. Former international guard Erik Thomas (195-1995, college: New Orleans, currently plays in Mexico) is a teammate of previously mentioned Kevin Hernandez and both played together in the last Mexican LNBP game. Thomas contributed to Abejas' victory against the league leader Astros (22-12) 94-83. He recorded 11 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 21 minutes. Thomas' stats this year are: 10.7ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.7apg and 2.0spg in three games. He is a naturalized American. Thomas used to play for the Argentinian national team years ago. He played also for Regatas Corrientes in Argentinian league.

Franco Giorgetti

   #8. Forward Franco Giorgetti (203-1992, currently plays in Mexico) led Dorados to a victory over the fifth-ranked Mineros (4-3) crushing them 86-61 in the Mexican LNBP (second division) last Saturday. Giorgetti was MVP of the game. He recorded 18 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists in 25 minutes. Dorados de Chihuahua (6-1) is placed first in the LNBP. Giorgetti averaged so far 14.3ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.3apg and 1.1spg in seven games. He used to play for the Argentinian national team back in 22.

Juan Brussino

   #9. Former international point guard Juan Brussino (185-1991, currently plays in Mexico) is a teammate of previously mentioned Franco Giorgetti and both played together in the last Mexican LNBP game. Brussino contributed to an easy victory against the fifth-ranked Mineros (4-3) crushing them 86-61. He recorded 14 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Brussino averaged so far 14.0ppg, 4.0rpg, 5.1apg and 1.3spg. He used to play for the Argentinian national team years ago.

Pablo Alderete

   #10. Power forward Pablo Alderete (198-1993, currently plays in Ecuador) contributed to an easy victory against the closely-ranked Santa Maria (8-6) crushing them 113-70 in the Ecuadorian National League last Saturday. He recorded 15 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Punto Rojo LR (13-1) is placed first in the National League. It was his team's 13th consecutive victory in a row. The Regular Season already ended. Alderete has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 15.9ppg, 9.3rpg, 4.1apg and 1.3spg. Alderete is a former U16 international player as years ago he still played for the Argentinian national team.

   #11. Former U18 international center Cristian Scaramuzzino (206-1992, currently plays in Uruguay) was the main contributor in Colon's victory against the seventh-ranked Lagomar 68-65 in the Uruguayan Metropolitan (second division) in Monday night's game. He was the best player in that game. Scaramuzzino recorded a double-double by scoring 22 points and getting 11 rebounds. He also added 3 blocks. Scaramuzzino averaged so far 13.0ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.3apg and 1.7bpg. He used to play for the Argentinian U18 national team years ago.


The list of other players, who all have Argentinian passport but never been selected to any of Argentinian national teams:

   #1. Joseph Avila led Fuerza Regia to a 3-point victory against the league outsider Correcaminos (0-7) 101-98 in the Mexican LNBP (second division) last Saturday. Avila recorded 17 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists. Fuerza Regia Monterrey (13-3) is placed first in the LNBP. It was his team's sixth consecutive victory in a row. This season Avila has relatively solid stats: 11.7ppg, 6.9rpg, 3.4apg and 1.3spg.

   #2. Diego Figueredo (185-PG-1991, agency: BIG, currently plays in Brazil) led Sao Jose to an easy victory against the fourth-ranked Sao Paulo (23-9) crushing them 87-67 in the Brazilian Paulista (third division) last Sunday. Figueredo scored 12 points and added 7 assists in 25 minutes. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Sao Jose dos Camposis placed in the Paulista. This year Figueredo's overall stats are: 6.3ppg, 2.0rpg and 4.8apg in four games he played so far.

   #3. Manuel Lambrisca (192-G/F-1997, currently plays in Chile) led Boston College to an easy victory against the fourth-ranked Sergio Ceppi (9-5) crushing them 72-51 in a derby game in the Chilean LNB 2 (second division) in Saturday night's game. Lambrisca scored 15 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and dished 5 assists. C.D. Boston College Santiagois placed first in Zona A. Lambrisca has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 17.5ppg, 7.7rpg, 3.5apg and 1.8spg.

   #4. Experienced Eduardo Gamboa (189-SG-1984, currently plays in Bolivia). Gamboa could not help La Salle (8-8) to beat Atomico (11-5). He recorded 8 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in 40 minutes. La Salle lost 66-72 on the road to the higher-ranked (#3) Atomico. The Regular Season already ended. Gamboa has very impressive stats this year: 16.8ppg, 4.8rpg, 3.0apg and 1.4spg in 11 games.

   #5. Federico Herrera (200-F/C-1993, currently plays in Chile) was not able to help Sportiva Italiana in their last game. Despite his good performance the third-placed Sportiva Italiana lost 82-87 in Santiago to the lower-ranked (#6) Manquehue in the Zona B. Herrera scored 10 points, grabbed 5 boards, handed out 3 passes and blocked 2 shots in 34 minutes. This year Herrera's overall stats are: 8.9ppg, 7.0rpg, 2.1apg and 1.5spg in 11 games.

   #6. Sebastian Alvarez (185-PG-1989, currently plays in Uruguay) led Colon to a victory over the fourth-ranked U.Atletica 81-66 in the Uruguayan Metropolitan (second division) last Thursday. Alvarez was the top player that evening. He recorded 25 points in 29 minutes. Alvarez averaged so far 12.2ppg, 2.5rpg, 2.1apg and 1.4spg in 13 games.