Angelo Kouame in a Gilas Pilipinas jersey. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Angelo Kouame’s naturalization of becoming a Filipino citizen is officially complete after he received his Philippine passport from the Bureau of Immigration.
Sources close to the situation said that Kouame is now in possession of his passport a day after it was released.
This development is vital in Gilas Pilipinas’ pursuit of building a long-term roster with Kouame, who was born in the Ivory Coast, and other young players including Dwight Ramos, Isaac Go, Matt Nieto, and Mike Nieto among others.
Kouame is in Calamba training with team in preparation for the Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers that will be played in Clark, Pampanga from June 16 to 20.
President Rodrigo Duterte signed Kouame’s naturalization papers in May after Senator Sonny Angara filed a bill to make the 6-foot-10 Ateneo youngster a Filipino citizen.
The 23-year-old Kouame was named UAAP Season 81 Rookie of the Year after he helped the Blue Eagles to a 16-0 sweep of that tournament.
He’s also won two titles with Ateneo with his Season 82 campaign putting him into the spotlight after he averaged 12.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 3.9 blocks.
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