Marvin Cairo selected the top Cuban playing abroad in last week's games

Here is the weekly review of the top performing Cuban players, who play currently abroad.

Marvin Cairo

   #1. This week's number one is an international swingman Marvin Cairo (201-91, currently plays in Bolivia). Cairo could not help Penarol (1-3) in their last game on Wednesday. Despite his very good performance the fifth-placed Penarol (1-3) was crushed 101-67 on the road by the higher-ranked CAN Oruro (#3) in the Group B. Cairo was the second best scorer with 21 points. He also added 9 rebounds. Cairo's team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And that game will be critical. Cairo has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 25.0ppg, 9.3rpg, 1.5bpg, 2FGP: 54.8%, 3FGP: 37.2% and FT: 81.8%. Former Capitalinos Azules de La Habana starter played for the Cuban senior national team one years ago.

Jordanis Jaca

   #2. Second place goes to an experienced former international power forward Jordanis Jaca (195-83, currently plays in Bolivia). Jaca led Rubair to an easy victory against the fifth-ranked Penarol (1-3) crushing them 80-59 in the Bolivian Libobasque on Sunday night. He scored 12 points, grabbed 6 rebounds and made 2 blocks in a mere 16 minutes. Rubair Quillacollo (3-1) is placed second in Group B. Jaca's team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And now that game is very crucial. This year Jaca's overall stats are: 7.8ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.3bpg, 2FGP: 65.0%(13-20) and FT: 45.5% in four games he played so far. Former Tigres de Camaguey starter played for the Cuban national team in 2016.

Yuniskel Molina

   #3. The Cuban player who performed third best last week abroad was an international power forward Yuniskel Molina (177-93, currently plays in El Salvador). He led Santa Tecla to a victory over the closely-ranked Isidro Metapan (14-4) 79-71 in the Salvadorean Liga MB (second division) in Saturday night's game. Molina was MVP of the game. He scored 33 points (!!!) and grabbed 4 rebounds. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Santa Tecla BC (16-2) is placed first in the Liga MB. It was his team's ninth consecutive victory in a row. The Regular Season already ended. This season Molina has very high stats. He averages: 16.0ppg, 5.1rpg, 2.4apg, 2.4spg, 2FGP: 52.6%, 3FGP: 25.0% and FT: 73.9%. Molina is also a member of the Cuban senior national team.

Lisvan Valdes

   #4. Power forward Lisvan Valdes (196-88, currently plays in El Salvador) is a teammate of previously mentioned Yuniskel Molina and both played together in the last Salvadorean Liga MB game. Valdes was the major contributor in a Santa Tecla's victory against the closely-ranked Isidro Metapan (14-4) 79-71. He scored 24 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 37 minutes. Valdes has very impressive stats this year: 21.2ppg, 5.3rpg, 2.1apg and 1.8spg in 18 games. He is also Cuban national team player.

Freddy Marin

   #5. International forward Freddy Marin (202-92, currently plays in Bolivia) was not able to help the league outsider AND1 La Paz (0-5) in their last game on Tuesday. Despite Marin's good performance AND1 La Paz (#6) was crushed 103-72 in Tarija by the higher-ranked La Salle (#5) in the Group A. He recorded a double-double by scoring 12 points and getting 14 rebounds. Marin's team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And now that game is quite important. Marin has relatively good stats this season: 12.4ppg and 6.4rpg. He plays currently for the Cuban national team.


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

   #1. Ismael Romero (203-C-91, currently plays in Puerto Rico) was the major contributor in Vaqueros' victory against the closely-ranked Indios (18-18) 88-83 in the Puerto Rican BSN in Wednesday night's game. He scored 24 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 25 minutes. Vaqueros de Bayamon (20-16) is placed third in the BSN. Romero has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 18.2ppg, 7.4rpg, 2.5apg and 1.5spg in 26 games he played so far.

   #2. Alejandro Alvarez (194-F-92, currently plays in Bolivia). Alvarez could not help Penarol (1-3) to beat CAN Oruro (3-2). He recorded 8 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists in 31 minutes. Penarol (#5) was crushed 101-67 on the road by the higher-ranked (#3) CAN Oruro in the Group B. Alvarez's team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And that game will be critical. This year Alvarez has relatively solid stats: 13.8ppg, 7.5rpg and 3.0apg in four games.

   #3. Dariel Maza (C-91, currently plays in Bolivia) was not able to help the league outsider AND1 La Paz (0-5) in their last game on Friday. Despite his good performance AND1 La Paz (#6) was badly defeated 101-82 at home by the higher-ranked Carl A-Z (#3) in the Group A. Maza scored 11 points. His team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. This season Maza has relatively solid stats: 11.6ppg, 6.2rpg and 1.6apg.


Other top Cuban players, who play abroad:

Howard Sant-Roos (200-F-91) plays for AEK in Greek A1
Javier Justiz (205-C-92) plays for Zaragoza in Spanish Liga Endesa
Yoanki Mensia (197-F-97) plays for Gimnasia in Argentinian La Liga
Pedro Bombino (206-C-0) plays for Gimnasia in Argentinian La Liga
Yorman Polas Bartolo (191-G/F-85) plays for Telekom Baskets in German BBL
Jasiel Rivero (204-C/F-93) plays for Boca Juniors in Argentinian La Liga
Karel Guzman (188-SG-95) plays for Olimpico de La Banda in Argentinian La Liga
Darol Hernandez (206-F-89) plays for COR-Borisfen in Belarusian Premier League
Adrian Diaz (209-F/C-93) plays for Joensuun Kataja in Finnish Korisliiga
Enrique Ramos (202-C-89) plays for Cariduros in Puerto Rican BSN
Juan Pineiro (193-G-90) plays for Brujos in Puerto Rican BSN
Yunio Barrueta (193-F/G-93) plays for Sluc Nancy in French ProB
Sigfredo Casero-Ortiz (185-PG-97) plays for Okapi Aalstar in Belgian Euromillions League
Juaquin Duarte (192-G-88) plays for Santos in Mexican LNBP

Notice: The list above includes only some of the Cuban playing currently abroad. Go to Cuban Abroad Page to see completed list.