He'll represent the Philippines in August after all.
Gilas center Ange Kouame might not be donning the country’s colors come the FIBA World Cup, but he will nonetheless be reppin’ the flag alongside the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at the 42nd William Jones Cup.
The 6-foot-11 big man, in fact, officially joined the team on Wednesday, attending his first practice with the Elasto Painters and getting reps in with his new teammates. Take a look:
From the looks of it, Kouame appears to actually be a perfect fit for Rain or Shine, as guard Rey Nambatac initially told One Sports. The former UAAP MVP looked fit and fully recovered from his ACL injury, running the floor, finishing in traffic in the paint, and contesting shots—exactly the things the Elasto Painters need from a big man.
And, like Nambatac said, Kouame’s Ateneo connection with former Blue Eagles Gian Mamuyac and Anton Asistio will surely prove useful in assimilating the big man into Rain or Shine’s system.
“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 [Mamuyac and Asistio] para alalayan siya sa system namin,” Nambatac told One Sports a few weeks ago.
True enough, Mamuyac is seen in the clip giving Kouame instructions in one instance. In another, the three former Ateneans—Kouame, Mamuyac, and Asistio—are seen sitting on the sidelines together while in a lighthearted conversation with Rain or Shine assistant coach Caloy Garcia.
The Jones Cup, which was canceled the past three years, will make its return on August 12–20 in Taiwan.