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 at practice Tuesday just before a game against Nicaragua. Cuba lost to the Bahamas 81-66 on Monday. The teams are in Puerto Rico for the 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 generally are allowed to apply for legal residence.