Gilas pick: Brownlee or Kouame?

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NATURALIZED center Ange Kouame has been called up to join Gilas Pilipinas in training camp for the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers set less than two weeks from now.

The inclusion of the 6-foot-11 Kouame into the national team training pool is seen as a back-up plan if and when naturalized star Justin Brownlee opts out of the November qualifiers due to wear and tear.

The 6-foot-5 Brownlee saw action in Indonesia last August and in the just-concluded PBA season-opening Governors’ Cup, where Ginebra fell to now reigning two-time champion TNT anew in six games.

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Brownlee will also likely be the Kings’ import anew in the mid-season Commissioner’s Cup set to start on Nov. 27.

The Filipino cagers will play a pair of home matches against New Zealand on Nov. 21 and Hong Kong three days later at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

Aside from Brownlee and Kouame, also named by national coach Tim Cone and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to the pool are pro league reigning eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, former MVP Scottie Thompson, Chris Newsome, CJ Perez, Calvin Oftana, Kevin Quiambao, overseas-based standouts Kai Sotto, Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, and Carl Tamayo.

Although still recuperating from a calf injury, Jamie Malonzo was also included in the list, along with reserves Japeth Aguilar and Mason Amos.

Gilas will hit the ground running on Friday at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.

Under FIBA rules, Cone will have to choose between Brownlee and Kouame on which naturalized player to play for each of the two games in the current window.

A former UAAP star with Ateneo, Kouame is suiting up for Meralco in the East Asia Super League and will play tomorrow when the Bolts face Busan KCC Egis at the MOA Arena.

 Gilas completed a 2-0 sweep of the first round of the Asia Cup qualifiers last February.

The mission continues for Cone and his troops—clinch a FIBA World Cup slot in 2027 in Qatar and fulfill a coveted dream of returning to the Olympics in Los Angeles four years from now.

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