Basketball: Cuba falls but does not clash against Argentina on the route to the next World Cup

Although the expected outcome occurred, Cuba’s defeat against Argentina left some notable notes during the start of the qualifying process for the next men’s World Championship of basketballwhich Qatar will host in 2027.

The score of 80-68 in favor of the albicelestes this Thursday highlighted their announced superiority over the Ciudad Deportiva court in Havana, especially in the most tense moments of the clash. according to the sports portal Hit.

The erratic start of Osmel Planas’ disciples, who lost 13-21 in the initial segment, ended up weighing too much on the fate of the match, since the visible improvement in the remaining quarters (19-20, 17-20 and 19-19) was not enough for them to turn the score around.

Argentina starts strong with a win in Havana! #FIBAWC x #StepItUphttps://t.co/d8wnBIHzGT

— FIBA ​​Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWC) November 28, 2025

There were moments in which the island’s team seemed capable of fighting for victory against a larger rival, despite the fact that it arrived in the Cuban capital with important absences, including that of its director and another member of the technical team, for those who were absent to avoid immigration problems in the United States.

The greatest parity was seen on the scoreboard with the tie at 25 in the second quarter, or when in the next quarter the visitors had to step on the accelerator with the score 50-48 in their favor.

At that time, the lack of important figures such as their leader Jasiel Rivero, along with other players with proven international projection such as Howard Saint-Ross, Yoel Cubillas or Yoanki Mencía, was noticed in the Cuban ranks.

Argentina takes out the caste

Even without several of their main players, the Argentine team showed their strength to dominate the game as a visitor and avoid the Cuban attacks.

To make up for their losses, those led by substitute coach Nicolás Casalanguida counted this time on the solvency of Francisco Caffaro, author of 18 points and 10 rebounds, in addition to the contribution of Gonzalo Corbalán, with a goal more and two fewer balls secured under the boards.

That last section was decisive, especially due to the visitors’ ability to collect 36 defensive rebounds, leaving the Cubans without opportunities to correct the errors in their shots, especially those executed beyond the perimeter.

Meanwhile, two stars like Gabriel Deck and Facundo Campazzo, Real Madrid players, saw fewer minutes on the court than usual and contributed eight and six points respectively.

Among the locals, the top scorer of the match emerged, a merit that went to Karel Guzmán thanks to his 22 cards, the best news to celebrate his return to the national team.

“I feel very happy to return to the national team after several years away, I really value the attitude of the boys and the public who have learned a lot to support us,” commented the player after the game.

Marcos Chacón, author of 14 points, and Pedro Bombino, who added 12 points to Cuba’s cause and came close to a double-double by grabbing nine rebounds, also left a good image.

Heading south

Once the initial procedure is closed, the coaching staff of the Cuban team looks with greater optimism to the next commitment, which will take them to Buenos Aires to repeat their rival on December 1.

By then, it is expected that coach Planas can count on Jasiel, Howard, Cubillas and Mencía, in addition to the incorporation of Anthony Rodríguez.

Although the South Americans—also rearmed—will once again start as favorites in front of their home crowd, it will be a good opportunity to gauge Cuba’s options for advancing in this qualifying process. This, taking into account that on paper Panama and Uruguay seem more affordable opponents than Argentina, although not easy either.

Cuba has been trying for several years to recover its level in men’s basketball, at least at the regional level, although it has not yet managed to achieve a relevant result or qualify for a global event.

The island’s last participation in a men’s basketball World Cup dates back to 1994.

Then the Cuban representative was part of group B of the competition held in the Canadian cities of Hamilton and Toronto and failed to overcome the first phase, falling to Croatia (65-85) and Australia (87-93), and only defeating South Korea (92-79).