With the Hangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee implementing a ‘passport-only’ rule for eligibility of the participants for the 19th Asian Games, Gilas Pilipinas can field both Justin Brownlee and Angelo Kouame for the men’s 5-on-5 basketball tournament.
Though Brownlee is already committed to play for the Philippines, Angelo Kouame has yet to commit.
And it’s because he is signed to a European club, according to Cone.
“Ange Kouame, he has an issue with a team in Europe he is looking to sign with,” bared Cone during the joint Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas-Philippine Basketball Association press conference held at the league’s office in Pasig on Wednesday.
“We are hoping that he is available for us for the Asian Games.”
The 6-foot-11 Kouame played nine games for Gilas during the last cycle, averaging 9.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.
Cone is hoping that Kouame clears his situation up before the September 23 Games.
Luckily for Gilas though, the NBA guys like Kyle Anderson of China and Yuta Watanabe of Japan won’t be around.
“We will be in equal footing there,” he expressed.
“We are lucky to have a great naturalized player in Justin.”
