Hope he could play as a local though?
Ange Kouame has spent most of his post-Ateneo Blue Eagles career playing for the Philippines.
The naturalized Filipino has promised to give his services to Pilipinas that he wholeheartedly attends national team practices even if he knows he won't be in the lineup for the FIBA World Cup. Jordan Clarkson has already taken the spot.
The 25-year-old center will have his chance to carry the Philippine flag with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters as their reinforcement in the 42nd Williams Jones Cup. Last Wednesday, Koume officially joined coach Yeng Guiao's squad in practice in preparation for their stint in the returning tournament.
Kouame was even present in Rain or Shine's Friday PBA On Tour match.
Asked by One Sports if he sees himself playing in the PBA, Kouame confirms the possibility but didn't give a specific timeline.
"We’ll never know where life [will bring us]. I feel like one day, it might be the case," Ange said.
Does the 6-foot-11 big man have any preference?
"MVP, the team that he has," he answered. Essentially, those are the TNT Tropang Giga, Meralco Bolts, and the NLEX Road Warriors.
Sadly, PBA rules only allow Kouame and the rest of the naturalized players like Marcus Douthit, Andray Blatche, and fan favorite Justin Brownlee to play as imports. Kababayan Brownlee has previously stated his desire to play in the league as a local, but that conversation has yet to move forward.
For now, fans will have a teaser of what Ange can do for a PBA squad in his stint with ROS. Who knows, maybe coach Yeng might tap him in future conferences?
(With reports from Diobelle Lao, One Sports Digital)