KOUAME SECURES PHL PASSPORT
Angelo Kouame formally obtained his Philippine passport, the crucial document that would make him eligible to see action for Gilas Pilipinas in the third window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers from 16 to 20 June in Clark.
A reliable Daily Tribune source said the Bureau of Immigration released Kouame’s passport last Wednesday, three weeks since President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law the Republic Act 11543 or the bill that seeks the naturalization of the 6-foot-10 slotman from Ivory Coast.
The naturalization of Kouame is crucial to the long-term program of the Samahang Basktebol ng Pilipinas.
In fact, aside from the FIBA Asia Cup, the federation is also looking at deploying him in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Serbia, 19th Asian Games in China and the FIBA World Cup that the country would host in 2023.
Kouame will reinforce a very young Gilas squad that will be bannered by Dwight Ramos, Isaac Go, Mike and Matt Nieto, Jordan Heading, Tzaddy Rangel and Will Navarro.
Rising star Kai Sotto also arrived early this week in a bid to join Gilas in the Asia Cup qualifiers and the OQT.
Gilas head coach Jong Uichico is thrilled to learn that Kouame is finally a holder of Philippine passport.
“I am happy for Ange,” said Uichico, who is helping program director Tab Baldwin prepare Gilas for major international tournaments ahead.
“He has been practicing with the team since last year. He is getting along very well.”
Gilas Pilipinas is still inside its training bubble at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba and is scheduled to leave for Clark on 13 June.