WITH the words “Pre, Filipino ako” on his Twitter account, Ateneo center Ange Kouame officially became a Filipino yesterday.
President Duterte has signed Senate Bill No. 1892 granting Filipino citizenship to the 6-foot-10 Kouame.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas President Al Panlilio said Kouame will now go through the process required by the FIBA for him to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas in two coming international tournaments.
“The SBP extends our appreciation to President Rodrigo Duterte for signing it into law and executive secretary Salvador Medialdea and senator Bong Go for their assistance,” Panlilio said in a statement.
“Kouame will now undergo the final steps required by FIBA before a naturalized player can suit up for a country and we are confident that he’ll be able to play during our hosting of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers and the FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament in Serbia,” he added.
The SBP is eyeing to field Kouame in the third window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers in a bubble from June 16 to 20 in Clark and in the Olympic qualifying tournament from June 29 to July 4 in Belgrade, Serbia.
The hulking Kouame, 23, is also seen as a vital cog in the Philippines’ campaign in the 2023 FIBA World Cup the country is co-hosting.
Panlilio also expressed gratitude to the key SBP officials and legislators who made Kouame’s naturalization possible.
“We thank our SBP chairman, Sen. Sonny Angara, along with Senators Joel Villanueva and Richard Gordon for filing the bill in the Senate and our vice chairman, Congressman Robbie Puno, for authoring the bill in the House of Representatives,” Panlilio said.
“The SBP thanks all of our allies in both houses whose support have been crucial in pushing this legislation to further strengthen our Gilas Pilipinas men.”
Authored by Deputy Speaker Robbie Puno of the 1st district of Antipolo, House Bill No. 8632 was approved last February.
The counterpart bill in the Senate, with SBP chairman Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara as principal author, hurdled the Senate’s third and final reading last March.
Panlilio is convinced Kouame will be a big boost to the Gilas program.
“It’s a great day for Philippine basketball and we’re thankful for the full support of our basketball community,” he said.
“Kami sa SBP ay naniniwalang ika’y lalaban Para sa Bayan. Maligayang pagbati, Kabayang Ange Kouame!”
Kouame averaged 12.5 points and 11.5 rebounds for the Blue Eagles in 2019 when Ateneo bagged its third straight crown via a perfect 16-0 season.
A former Rookie of the Year awardee in 2018, Kouame is still eligible to play for the Eagles for three more years.
