Ange Kouame (left) offers added dimension 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 purpose to be detached towards the nationwide basketball program.
As a substitute, the Ivory Coast native has at all times made himself out there for the nationwide group and the 6-foot-10 large 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 instructed the Inquirer throughout one of many observe classes at PhilSports Enviornment in Pasig Metropolis.
“I’m actually comfortable to have the ability to characterize this nation and play and have enjoyable with the blokes,” the ace out of Ateneo added.
Even with a European membership trying to safe his providers, Kouame has lengthy behaved like knowledgeable, 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 middle is at the moment laborious at work all through the camp at Encourage Sports activities Academy in Calamba, Laguna, the place the nationwide group is coaching.
Technically the lone newbie in a squad plagued by professionals, Kouame can be raring to show that he can maintain his personal in a area of battle-hardened veterans when the Philippines’ marketing campaign opens in opposition to 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 gained’t be the primary time. However I feel I’ll be able to be in that state of affairs as nicely—particularly as this group’s muscle. Basketball’s a extremely aggressive sport so we’ll compete in opposition to one another,” he added.
Ange Kouame (left) offers added dimension 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 Worthwhile Participant ought to be a key asset on each ends of the court docket.
And Cone feels that that’s precisely what the nationwide group wants because it tries to shoot for a gold medal.
“We’ve received Mo, Japeth Ange after which June Mar. We’ve received good dimension,” 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 dimension.” INQ
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