López, the most efficient in attack in the Asian nation. Centre-backs Alonso and Simón, the best for the islanders in the Italian championship.

With the most outstanding performance by Miguel Angel Lopez, Cuban players continue with good pace in the early volleyball leagues of Japan and Italy.

The Cienfuegos native was the inspirational spark plug in the last two victories with his new club, Osaka Bluteon, against Nippon Sakai (3-1 and 3-0), in which he accumulated 35 points. He was even named most valuable player in Sunday’s win.

He led all attackers in scoring efficiency with 58.6 per cent in eight games, followed by team-mate Yushi Nishida (55.9) of the Japanese national team.

Both have helped their team lead the standings with seven wins and just one loss in the 44-game regular season.

Meanwhile, in the Italian Super League, the Piacenza squad, in which the giant Roberlandy Simon plays, moved to the top of the 12 contenders after beating Milano 3-0 (25-20, 25-19, 25-17) in the sixth week.

Simon contributed seven points, four of them attacks in six attempts for 62 per cent efficiency, plus two blocks and an ace.

Behind Piacenza, who accumulated 17 points in their six consecutive wins, is Perugia (6-0/16), who beat Civitanova 3-2 (21-25, 25-27, 25-18, 25-18, 25-18, 15-12).

The left-handed player from Artemio, Jesús Herrera, who came off the court as a substitute player, contributed three points to the success (2 attacks in a pair of attempts and a direct point on serve).

Modena, with Villaclareño José Miguel Gutiérrez in their ranks this season, beat Verona 3-2 (22-25, 25-18, 18-25, 25-21, 15-12) and appear in sixth place (3-3/8).

The Cuban receiver-attacker was benched after the third quarter because of his poor efficiency, scoring just eight points, seven of them on attack in 22 attempts for a low 32 per cent.

Monza beat Taranto, in which Roamy Alonso plays, 3-2 (25-19 25-21 20-25 21-25 15-9). However, the Yumurian middle blocker had a productive day as he collected 12 kills, four in blocking action to climb to second place overall. He added eight attacks in 12 opportunities (62 % efficiency).

In other results Cisterna dominated Padova 3-1 (25-21, 19-25, 25-23, 25-18) and Trentino dominated Grottazzolina, also in four sets (22-25, 25-18, 25-21, 25-23).

Next Sunday the Cubans will be in action in the Piacenza-Civitanova, Perugia-Taranto and Modena-Cisterna matches.