FIBA: Ange Kouame long term with Gilas Pilipinas

MANILA, Philippines – Ateneo center Ange Kouame is unlikely to naturalize in time for the second window of the 2021 FIBA ​​Asia Cup qualifiers, but remains an important part of the Philippine national team’s plans in the future.

Kouame, a 6-foot-10 center from the Ivory Coast, was included in Gilas Pilipinas’ training group for the November window. He joined a team made up mostly of college players, as most of the PBA stars are still in the league bubble in Clark, Pampanga.

While the inclusion of Kouame is a positive development for the team, Ryan Gregorio admits that it will be almost impossible for him to play later this month when Gilas Pilipinas returns to action in the 2021 FIBA ​​Asian Cup qualifiers in a ” bubble “in Bahrain.

“Senator Sonny Angara and Congressman Robbie Puno (are) doing everything they can to make sure the papers are moved,” said Gregorio, special assistant to the president of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), Al Panlilio.

Puno introduced House Bill No. 5951 in January, which seeks to grant Philippine citizenship to Kouame. In October, Angara introduced a membership bill in the Senate.

“But for this particular window, we are not sure,” Gregorio said of Kouame’s involvement.

“Some things are out of our control,” added Gregorio, who appeared on “2OT” to discuss the upcoming qualifying window. “If there is a magic (that) we can do to make Kouame available on November 27, of course we will accept it.”

“But if not, we understand that there is a process,” he said. “The government is obviously trying to do everything it can to speed up whatever is necessary.”

Even if Kouame does not naturalize in time for the November window, Gregorio is optimistic that he will be available for the next round of qualifiers in February 2021. What is crucial at this point is that Kouame learns the system that the national team will use. . and meet the players who will be your future teammates.

You already know several of them, having played together at the Blue Eagles Athenaeum. Kouame also shouldn’t have a problem mastering the system devised by program director Tab Baldwin, who is also his head coach at the university.

“(We) could also use it as soon, as part of our scouting team, for example,” Gregorio said.

“It’s not about the x’s and o’s of basketball. Attitude and character also play a role, and we have to start early in your practice sessions so that you can adopt the kind of theme we want to establish. Represent our Gilas Pilipinas in future international competitions ”, he added.

Gregorio also guarantees that Kouame is part of the long-term plans of the national team program.

“What is certain is that Kouame will be part of the long-term journey, 2023. ‘That really gives us a lot of excitement,” he said.

In the meantime, they are ready to go to battle with a flagged team of the five PBA players loaned by their parent teams to the Gilas program: Isaac Go, Matt and Mike Nieto, Allyn Bulanadi and Rey Suerte.

Also part of the group are the brothers Javi and Juan Gomez de Liano, Jaydee Tungcab, Dwight Ramos, Dave Ildefonso, Kobe Paras, Justine Baltazar, Will Navarro, Kenmark Carino and Calvin Oftana.

Gilas Pilipinas is 1-0 in Group A after defeating Indonesia 100-70 in their first qualifying match in February. They will play Thailand on November 26, South Korea on November 28 and Thailand again on November 30.

The national team is currently training at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna, in preparation for the playoffs later this month.