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Ange Kouame (left) offers added measurement and a willingness to combine it up beneath the basket. —FIBA PHOTO
He could also be talked about final among the many nation’s naturalized standouts, however that hasn’t given Ange Kouame any cause to be detached towards the nationwide basketball program.
As a substitute, the Ivory Coast native has all the time made himself obtainable for the nationwide staff and the 6-foot-10 huge man is doing it once more for the squad that may compete within the nineteenth Asian Video games in Hangzhou, China, this weekend.
“I’m actually excited to be a part of this system once more, I’m additionally excited once I received the decision from coach (Tim Cone) himself,” he advised the Inquirer throughout one of many apply classes at PhilSports Area in Pasig Metropolis.
“I’m actually comfortable to have the ability to characterize this nation and play and have enjoyable with the fellows,” the ace out of Ateneo added.
Even with a European membership seeking to safe his companies, Kouame has lengthy behaved like an expert, coaching with Gilas within the Baltic states when it was making ready for the World Cup, after which nonetheless exhibiting up in practices within the buildup for the continental showcase.
The 25-year-old heart is presently onerous at work all through the camp at Encourage Sports activities Academy in Calamba, Laguna, the place the nationwide staff is coaching.
Technically the lone newbie in a squad affected by professionals, Kouame can be raring to show that he can maintain his personal in a discipline of battle-hardened veterans when the Philippines’ marketing campaign opens towards Bahrain on Sept. 26.
“I feel I’m ready,” he mentioned of going through skilled professionals, taller opponents and different naturalized gamers within the regional meet.
“It received’t be the primary time. However I feel I’ll be able to be in that scenario as properly—particularly as this staff’s muscle. Basketball’s a very aggressive sport so we’ll compete towards one another,” he added.
Ange Kouame (left) offers added measurement and a willingness to combine it up beneath the basket. —FIBA PHOTO
Key asset
Kouame’s presence retains the nation’s frontline comparatively tall even after AJ Edu and Kai Sotto each determined to deal with their professional careers in Japan.
Thrown in with June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, and even Mo Tautuaa, the previous UAAP Most Useful Participant needs to be a key asset on each ends of the courtroom.
And Cone feels that that’s precisely what the nationwide staff wants because it tries to shoot for a gold medal.
“We’ve received Mo, Japeth Ange after which June Mar. We’ve received good measurement,” he mentioned. “We’re not going to get outsized over there [in the Asian Games]. We’ll have a possibility with Center Jap groups and China with our measurement.” INQ
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