Gregory Vargas selected the top Venezuelan playing abroad in last week's games

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

Gregory Vargas

   #1. This week's number one is an experienced former international point guard Gregory Vargas (181-1986, agency: Pro Sports, currently plays in Israel). He could not help Hapoel Haifa (12-10) in their last game. Despite Vargas' good performance Hapoel Haifa was badly defeated 92-75 on the road by the second-ranked Maccabi Tel-Aviv. He was the second best scorer with 14 points. Vargas also added 6 rebounds and dished 7 assists in 30 minutes on the court. The Regular Season already ended. Vargas has relatively good stats this year: 11.0ppg, 4.3rpg, 6.0apg, 2.0spg, 2FGP: 43.5%, 3FGP: 37.5% and FT: 76.8% in 22 games he played so far. Former Protectores de Miranda BBC starter played for the Venezuelan senior national team year ago.

Jose Ascanio

   #2. Second place goes to former international forward Jose Ascanio (204-1996, currently plays in Uruguay). He was not able to help Aguada (16-10) in their last game on Friday. Despite Ascanio's good performance Aguada was crushed 97-69 in a derby game by the leading Goes. He was the second best scorer with 14 points. Ascanio also added 8 rebounds and made 3 blocks. His team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And that game will be critical. This season Ascanio has relatively solid stats: 15.0ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.5apg, 1.5bpg, 1.5spg, 2FGP: 66.7% and FT: 77.8%. He played for the Venezuelan national team in 22.

Windi Graterol

   #3. The Venezuelan player who performed third best last week abroad was former international center Windi Graterol (204-1986, also represented by Pro Sports, currently plays in Argentina). Graterol led Olimpico to an easy victory against the closely-ranked San Lorenzo (3-4) crushing them 97-70 in the Argentinian La Liga on Tuesday night. He recorded 14 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks in 25 minutes. Ciclista Olimpico de La Banda (3-4) is placed fourth in the La Liga. This year Graterol averages: 8.4ppg, 7.7rpg, 1.1apg, 1.1bpg, 2FGP: 54.0%, 3FGP: 47.8%(11-23) and FT: 65.4% in 14 games. Former Cocodrilos de Caracas starter played for the Venezuelan national team year ago.

Nestor Colmenares

   #4. Center Nestor Colmenares (200-1987, another player represented by Pro Sports, college: Campbellsville, currently plays in Uruguay) led Goes to a victory over the sixth-ranked Malvin (15-11) 74-69 in a derby game in the Uruguayan LUB in Monday night's game. He was MVP of the game. Colmenares recorded a double-double by scoring 22 points and getting 15 rebounds. He also added and 4 steals; quite an impressive performance considering it's only Colmenares' first season in pro basketball. Goes Montevideo (18-10) is placed in the LUB. The Regular Season already ended. Colmenares has reliable stats this season: 13.1ppg, 11.0rpg, 2.6apg and 1.5spg. He used to play for the Venezuelan national team back in 22.

   #5. Former U17 international center Sergio Mijares (1997, currently plays in Chile) was not able to secure a victory for Espanol de Talca (1-9) in their last game. Despite Mijares' very good performance Espanol de Talca lost 76-80 in San Fernando to the lower-ranked (#11) Tinguiririca. He was the top scorer with 17 points. Mijares also added 7 rebounds in 32 minutes. It was Espanol de Talca's fifth consecutive loss in a row. This year Mijares' overall stats are: 9.5ppg, 6.5rpg and 2.6apg in 15 games. He used to play for the Venezuelan U17 national team years ago.

   #6. Power forward Fernando Fuenmayor (201-2000, currently plays in Argentina) couldn't help Obras (2-0) in their game against Comunicaciones (1-6) in the Argentinian La Liga. Fuenmayor scored only 4 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and made 2 blocks. Obras was defeated 68-64 in Mercedes by the lower-ranked Comunicaciones (#4). There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial. Fuenmayor's total stats this season are: 3.0ppg and 1.5rpg. He is a former international player as he played for the Venezuelan senior team year ago.

Jhornan Zamora

   #7. Former international swingman Jhornan Zamora (196-1989, currently plays in France) couldn't help Saint-Quentin (5-2) in their game against Olympique Antibes (15-11) in the French ProB (second division). He cannot count Friday's game as one of the best ones. Zamora scored only 3 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and dished 5 assists. Saint-Quentin was defeated 95-85 in Antibes by the lower-ranked Olympique (#5). Zamora averaged so far 12.5ppg, 4.1rpg, 2.4apg and 1.5spg. He used to play for the Venezuelan national team years ago.

Harold Cazorla

   #8. Point guard Harold Cazorla (175-1991, agency: Promo Sport ID, currently plays in Spain) couldn't help Cantabria (15-7) in their game against Carbajosa (8-16) in the Spanish LEB Silver (third division). Cazorla scored 5 points, made 4 passes and 4 steals in 14 minutes. The third-placed Cantabria (15-7) was edged 96-93 at home by the much lower-ranked (#12) Carbajosa in the West group. There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be important. This year Cazorla's total stats are: 3.4ppg, 2.2apg and 2.2spg in five games. He used to play for the Venezuelan national team back in 17.

Yohanner Sifontes

   #9. Former international guard Yohanner Sifontes (192-1995, currently plays in Argentina) contributed to an easy victory against the 15th-ranked Jachal (3-23) crushing them 109-75 in the Argentinian La Liga Argentina (second division) on Monday night. Sifontes recorded 13 points. Atletico Juventud Florentino Ameghino (15-9) is placed sixth in Conference Norte. It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row. There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season. Sifontes has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 17.7ppg, 4.9rpg, 3.6apg and 1.1spg. Sifontes used to play for the Venezuelan national team years ago.

Angel Lugo

   #10. Point guard Angel Lugo (181-1999, currently plays in Spain) contributed to Molina's victory against the fifth-ranked UAF Lucentum (5-5) 60-52 in the Spanish EBA (fourth division) in Sunday night's game. He scored 6 points in 15 minutes. Molina Basket (7-3) is placed third in Group EDesc2. It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row. There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. Lugo has averaged so far 4.3ppg, 1.9rpg and 1.3apg in 20 games. He is a former U16 international player as years ago he still played for the Venezuelan national team.

   #11. Former U18 international guard Terry Bardasz (188-2004, currently plays in Spain) couldn't help Porrino in their game against Marin in the Spanish EBA (fourth division). He scored 7 points. His team was defeated 56-49. Bardasz has averaged so far 3.2ppg and 2.8rpg. He used to play for the Venezuelan U18 national team years ago.


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

   #1. Luis Merida (190-SG-1992, currently plays in Chile) contributed to Castro's victory against the closely-ranked Ancud (6-4) 77-68 in the Chilean Liga Nacional in Saturday night's game. Merida recorded 7 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 17 minutes. Club Deportes Castro (2-6) is placed fifth in the Liga Nacional. This year Merida's total stats are: 7.2ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.5apg and 1.2spg in 13 games he played so far.

   #2. Experienced Juan Fontena (196-C-1987, currently plays in Chile) contributed to an easy victory against the closely-ranked Universidad Catolica (7-2) crushing them 95-63 in the Chilean Liga Nacional on Saturday night. Fontena recorded 10 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks in 24 minutes. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Club Deportes Puerto Varas (9-1) is placed first in the Liga Nacional. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. Fontena's stats this year are: 10.1ppg and 5.4rpg in 16 games. He has a dual citizenship: Venezuelan and Chilean.

   #3. Jose Sosa (203-PF-1998, currently plays in Spain) led Lliria to an easy victory against the sixth-ranked Picken Claret (13-10) 80-65 in the Spanish EBA (fourth division) in Saturday night's game. Sosa scored 11 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. Refitel Basquet Lliria (7-3) is placed fourth in Group Eclasif. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. Sosa's total stats this season are: 4.4ppg and 3.8rpg. He is another player who holds two passports: Venezuelan and Spanish.

   #4. Wilmer Peraza (194-C-1990, currently plays in Spain). Peraza could not help Azulejos (8-14) to beat Santfeliuenc (9-13). He cannot count Saturday's game as one of the best ones. Peraza scored only 2 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. Azulejos (#9) was defeated 83-79 on the road by the higher-ranked Santfeliuenc (#8) in the Group C-3. The Regular Season already ended. Peraza has averaged so far 6.4ppg and 4.8rpg.

   #5. Franger Pirela (187-F-2002, currently plays in Spain) was not able to help Baskonia B in their game against Santander (13-15) in the Spanish EBA (fourth division). He scored 6 points, had 4 rebounds and dished 4 assists in 30 minutes. Baskonia B (#3) was edged 77-75 on the opponent's court by the lower-ranked (#9) Santander in the Group A-A. It was Baskonia B's first loss after four consecutive victories. There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. Pirela has averaged so far 9.0ppg, 3.4rpg, 2.5apg and 1.2spg in 28 games.

   #6. Rafael Melgarejo (184-G-1991, currently plays in Spain) was not able to secure a victory for Sant Cugat in their game against Roser in the Spanish EBA (fourth division). Melgarejo cannot count Saturday's game as one of the best ones. He scored only 3 points in 16 minutes. His team lost 63-72. Melgarejo has averaged so far 8.7ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.3apg and 1.3spg in 15 games.