Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Ange Kouame has been diagnosed with a meniscal sprain and partial ACL tear, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas announced on Wednesday, June 15.
Kouame is expected to miss a pair of friendly games against Korea set on June 17 and 18, and is listed as doubtful for the national team in the upcoming third window of the FIBA World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifier and the FIBA Asia Cup next month.
Kouame’s injury was a huge blow to Gilas as his absence will leave a huge void in the middle for the national team both on the offensive and defensive end.
SBP is now scrambling to find a replacement for the 6-foot-10 center in time for its match against New Zealand on June 30 and India on July 3.
“The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is exhausting all options, including looking for a replacement and securing a New Zealand Visa for the game on June 30,” SBP said in a statement.
Aside from Kouame, Gilas will also be without Ateneo guard Dave Ildefonso who is also still nursing an ankle injury.
Without the two, Gilas head coach Nenad Vucinic will have to rely on the rest of his players left in the initial 12-man pool against Korea.
Guys like Carl Tamayo, Kevin Quiambao, William Navarro, and Geo Chiu will be tasked to man the paint in Kouame’s absence while Kiefer Ravena, Dwight Ramos, RJ Abarrientos, Rhenz Abando and SJ Belangel will all need to step up and take the scoring cudgels for the national team.