After the House of Representatives approved House Bill No. 5951 that seeks to naturalize Ivorian Angelo Kouame, Senator Sonny Angara hopes to do the same.
Angara is the author of Senate Bill 1892, filed last October 22. He hopes that the 22-year-old, 6-foot-11 Atenean gets his Filipino citizenship by the February window of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.
“Hope we in the senate can do this before the February Qualifiers,” said Angara, who is also the chairman of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
Angara cited that since representing the Philippines during the 2018 William Jones Cup, Kouame has wanted to become Filipino even more.
“Angelo Kouame loves the Philippines has really put down roots and is thrilled at the prospect of being naturalized,” Angara continued.
In just two months time, Gilas will face South Korea and Indonesia with Pool A supremacy at stake.
Gilas are 3-0 in the continental meet, notching wins no. 2 and 3 last week after two dominant performances against Thailand.
Kouame also has three more seasons of eligibility with Ateneo.
