Right now, though, Kouame is fighting for a spot in the Gilas Pilipinas roster gearing up for the FIBA World Cup in Manila this August.
Rey Nambatac has yet to train with Ange Kouame but already he believes the naturalized Filipino will fit like a glove with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
Kouame will reinforce the team representing the Philippines in the 42nd William Jones Cup in Taiwan next month.
“Para sa akin fit sya sa system na gusto ni coach Yeng [Guiao],” said Nambatac, giddy about playing in the invitation tourney.
It also helps that the 6-foot-11 Kouame played alongside Rain or Shine’s Gian Mamuyac and Anton Asistio for the Ateneo Blue Eagles in college.
“At the same time, mga players dito naging teammate ni Ange sa Ateneo. So kumbaga hindi na mahirap makipag-communicate kay Kouame kasi andyan mga former teammates niya para alalayan siya sa system namin,” he said.
Too bad Rain or Shine can’t tap him as reinforcement for the Commissioner’s Cup owing to the 6-foot-10 height limit.
Right now, though, Kouame is fighting for a spot in the Gilas Pilipinas roster gearing up for the FIBA World Cup in Manila where they will face Italy's ace Simone Fontecchio. Fontecchio is playing for the Utah Jazz in the NBA.
It’s not clear how things will go but assistant coach Mike Buendia bared the team already got the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas’ green light to tab the 25-year-old cager for its Taiwan campaign.
“Hindi ko lang alam pero pinagpaalam naman siya ng team namin with SBP and pinahiram nga samin, pumayag naman,” Buendia said.
After the PBA On Tour, the Elasto Painters will take a short break before convening on August 7 to prepare for the Jones Cup.
(GM)