BIG man Ange Kouame, like Justin Brownlee, also gave way to NBA standout Jordan Clarkson in the recent FIBA World Cup.
The 6-foot-11 former Ateneo star and UAAP MVP will now get the chance to show his true worth for Gilas Pilipinas in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China less than two weeks from now.
Gilas interim coach Tim Cone initially had fears that Kouame would not be able to suit up for the Asiad due to a coming stint in Europe.
But four days ago, during Gilas’ first practice, Cone said Kouame was good to go and in fact would train with the team at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
“I think so (issue has been settled). He has a deal being worked in Europe that I understand,” Cone said,
“He has a deal with a European team but that doesn’t start in a month, so he has time to do this for us,” he added.
Cone, 65, the winningest tactician in the PBA with 25 titles in a coaching career that began in 1989, admitted leading the Philippine five back to the Promised Land in the quadrennial showpiece event brings a lot of pressure.
Having Kouame, 25, will be a big boost to the Filipino cagers made up of 11 pro league stars.
Kouame has won three crowns for the Blue Eagles in his collegiate stint and saw action for Gilas in World Cup and Asia Cup qualifiers and in an Olympic qualifying tournament.
He also boosted Rain or Shine in the William Jones Cup last month.
“I’ve handled Ange in Europe, in Lithuania, so, I know him a little bit,” Cone said, referring to Kouame’s time in the national team training pool for the World Cup. “There’s always pressure because you care. If you’re gonna care about the country and what people (want), and you wanna make a country happy, there’s always that incredible pressure that you’re representing something much larger than yourself.
“That puts a lot of pressure on your shoulders. But pressure is not necessarily a bad thing. You can use it the proper way, and that’s what we’re trying to learn with these guys.”
A native of Cí´te d’Ivoire, Kouame has embraced being a Filipino like Cone, an American, and together they are on a mission beginning on Sept. 26– bring back the Asiad cage gold to the country.
