Cuban players missing from Puerto Rican tournament

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) - The president of the Puerto Rican Basketball Federation says five Cuban players are missing from an international tournament.

Carlos Beltran says the five men did not show up at practice Tuesday just before a game against the Nicaragua. Cuba lost to Bahamas 81-66 on Monday. The teams are in Puerto Rico to participate in Centrobasket Championship 2012.

Some Cuban athletes in the past have used international competitions as an opportunity to defect. Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory and Cubans who make it to the island are generally allowed to apply for legal residence.