Ateneo’s Angelo Kouame. INQUIRER PHOTO/TRISTAN TAMAYO
MANILA, Philippines—National team head coach Jong Uichico believes that big man Ange Kouame is the missing piece to move forward for Gilas Pilipinas.
With a team of collegiate and young stars at his disposal, Uichico led Gilas Pilipinas to a 2-0 record in the Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers in Bahrain last week.
But Uichico believes there’s still a big hole in the center field for the Nationals.
“That’s the only thing missing in the Philippines because we have great players from 1 to 4, and the only thing missing is that center position,” said Uichico in Filipino in an interview with 2OT.
Kouame, who hails from the Ivory Coast, took the first major step in becoming a player for Gilas Pilipinas after the House Committee on Justice passed his naturalization.
The 6-foot-10 big man already proved his worth at the collegiate level helping Ateneo to two UAAP titles.
Uichio is hoping that Kouame’s naturalization will be completed before the February window of the Asia Cup Qualifiers commences.
Kouame has been training with Gilas before the team went to Manama, Bahrain and he could become the Philippines’ starting center come February when they take on eternal tormentor South Korea.
“Ange Kouame will be able to fill that center position,” said Uichico.