Strong Group suffered a huge blow heading to the 32nd Dubai International Basketball Tournament.
Big man Angelo Kouame has been ruled out of the tournament due to illness.
Kouame, 25, has been confined for a week already due to dengue fever.
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“Very unfortunate for us that Ange Kouame will not be able to join us. He will be a big loss and it will be a game-changer,” said Strong Group head coach Charles Tiu as they are pressed for time to find a replacement for the 6-foot-10 center.
“Still, we will still find a way to compete and we are scrambling to find a replacement now.”
Kouame will also miss Gilas Pilipinas’ practice on Monday night at the Meralco Gym.
With Kouame out, Strong Group’s frontline has thinned down, with Renaldo Balkman leading the way. Also in the team’s frontcourt are Will Gozum and Justine Baltazar.
Also in Strong Group’s roster are Nick Young, Sedrick Barefield, Francis Lopez, Inand Fornillos, BJ Andrade, Jerom Lastimosa, and Miguel Oczon.
Despite the predicament, Strong Group is leaving no stone unturned in Kouame’s recovery.
“We aren’t going to risk his health for this tournament, and we are thankful our owner boss Jacob Lao has been taking care of him while he is in the hospital.”
