![Angelo Kouame, the naturalized center of Gilas Philippines. –FIBA PHOTO](https://sports.inquirer.net/files/2022/06/angelo-kouame-gilas.jpeg)
Ange Kouame (left) provides extra size and a willingness to mix it up under the basket. —FIBA PHOTO
He may be listed last among the country’s naturalized standouts, but that hasn’t given Ange Kouame any reason to be indifferent to the national basketball program.
Instead, the Ivory Coast native has always made himself available for the national team and the 6-foot-2 big man is doing it again for the squad that will compete at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China this weekend.
“I am very excited to be part of the program again, I am also excited when I got the call from coach (Tim Cone) himself,” he told The Inquirer during one of the practice sessions at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City .
“I am very happy that I can represent this country and play with the boys and have fun,” the Ateneo ace added.
Even with a European club looking to secure his services, Kouame has long acted like a professional. He trained with Gilas in the Baltics during preparation for the World Cup and continued to show up in training afterwards in the run-up to the continental showcase.
The 25-year-old center is currently hard at work throughout the Inspire Sports Academy camp in Calamba, Laguna, where the national team trains.
Technically the only amateur in a squad littered with pros, Kouame is also eager to prove he can hold his own in a field of battle-hardened veterans when the Philippines’ campaign against Bahrain begins on September 26.
“I think I’m prepared,” he said of facing seasoned pros, bigger opponents and other naturalized players in the regional meet.
“It won’t be the first time. But I think I’ll be ready to be in that situation too, especially as the strength of this team. Basketball is a very competitive sport, so we will compete against each other,” he added.
![Gilas Pilipinas 'muscle' Ange Kouame back in armor](https://sports.inquirer.net/files/2023/09/Ange-Kouame-left-FILE.jpg)
Ange Kouame (left) provides extra size and a willingness to mix it up under the basket. —FIBA PHOTO
Most important asset
Kouame’s presence ensures that the country’s frontline remains relatively high even after AJ Edu and Kai Sotto both decided to focus on their professional careers in Japan.
Along with June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar and even Mo Tautuaa, the former UAAP Most Valuable Player should be a major asset on both ends of the pitch.
And Cone believes that’s exactly what the national team needs in its bid for a gold medal.
“We have Mo, Japeth Ange and then June Mar. We are a good size,” he said. “We are not going to become excessively large there [in the Asian Games]. We will have a chance with teams from the Middle East and China with our size.” INQ
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