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CHANCES is Gilas Pilipinas’ team, which will see action in the November window of the 2021 Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers, it will not only be a cadet team but also a local team.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), special assistant to President Ryan Gregorio, said the federation is ready to embrace those perspectives with the naturalization of Ange Kouame still pending in Congress.
“That is really the plan,” said the executive. 2OT even after the Ateneo center was included in the country’s 16-man pool for the planned Fiba bubble in Manama, Bahrain.
Kouame’s status is no longer in the hands of the SBP, as he is pinning his hopes on his advocates in the government, both President and Senator Sonny Angara in the upper house as well as Vice President and Antipolo First District Representative Robbie Puno In the lower house, only give the Ivorian center Philippine citizenship.
“Some of the things are beyond our control, but if there is something magical that we can do to make Kouame available on November 27, of course we will take it,” Gregorio said. “But if not, we understand that there is a process. The government is obviously trying to do everything possible to expedite whatever is necessary.”
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“He’s in Congress now thanks to Sen. Sonny Angara and Cong. Robbie Puno na talagang doing everything they can to make sure the papers move forward. But for this particular window, we’re not sure.”
For Gregorio, the justification for including Kouame in the pool despite the slim chance that he will adapt to it revolves around preparing him for future international tournaments once he gets his naturalization papers.
And the immediate target for that is the next window in February next year, where the Philippines have another pair of games against Korea and Indonesia.
“It is no secret that if Ange Kouame talaga will be part of our national team in the next few years. We are trying to prepare Ange for February, so the important thing we want to do right now is that he is part of the system part of the group, we understand exactly the system that we are trying to implement, and also chemistry will play a big factor. That is why we include it in the group because it is no secret anyway so we could use it this early as part of our scouting team, for example, and being related in how we want to do things, “he said.
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And if Kouame ticks all the boxes, the 2023 Fiba World Cup really won’t be that far-fetched.
“It’s not about the xs and os of basketball. Attitude and character also play an important role and we have to start early in your practice sessions to be sure you will be able to embrace the type of team we want to establish to represent our Gilas Pilipinas in future international competitions, “he said.
“What is certain is that Kouame will be part of the long-term journey to 2023. That really gives us a lot of excitement.”
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