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Kouame Naturalization Bill Gets Congressional Approval
Luisa Morales (Philstar.com) – December 2, 2020 – 12:38 pm
MANILA, Philippines – Ivorian big man Angelo Kouame has seen progress in his naturalization bid to play for Gilas Pilipinas.
This after the House justice commission approved Kouame’s naturalization bill on Wednesday, sending it to plenary for second and third reading.
Once approved by Congress, the Ateneo center will also need the approval of the Senate and President Rodrigo Duterte before being formally naturalized and therefore eligible to play for the national team.
But the assent of the committee is already a big step for Kouame, who recently shared his excitement for finally donning Gilas colors.
The representative of the first district of the city of Antipolo and the vice president of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, Inc., Robbie Puno, congratulated the House committee for its decision.
“I am grateful that my colleagues in the House of Representatives recognize the potential that Mr. Kouame, who had an amazing performance in UAAP season 82, can bring to our national team as they prepare to compete in the FIBA World Cup. 2023, ”said Puno.
Kouame, an integral part of the Blue Eagles’ perfect title run at UAAP last year, was included in the national team’s training pool last month when they competed in the second window of the FIBA Asian Cup qualifiers. 2021 in Manama, Bahrain.
The 23-year-old did not join the team in Bahrain, but was a key cog in training with the Philippine cagers in preparation for their games in qualifying.
If their naturalization process runs smoothly and efficiently, the 2018 UAAP Rookie of the Year may be eligible to play for the flag and country in the third window of the Asian Cup qualifiers in February 2021.
In the history of the national team, only two other players have been naturalized to play for the Filipino ballers: Marcus Douthit and Andray Blatche.
Blatche, who played for the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA, played for Gilas Pilipinas at the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
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