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Angelo Kouame is bracing for more difficult battles ahead following his debut as naturalized player of Gilas Pilipinas against South Korea in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.

Gilas Pilipinas finally resumes its campaign in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers tonight by taking on old rival South Korea at the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center.

Angelo Kouame will play as the naturalized player of Gilas Pilipinas for the third window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers after the basketball body approved his registration following his acquisition of a Philippine passport last week.

Bienvenido Marañon could soon become a Filipino citizen after the Spanish-born footballer’s naturalization bill was transmitted to Malacanang for President Duterte’s signature.

Naturalized player Angelo Kouame said that after two years of waiting, he can concentrate now on playing ball, particularly on getting ready for two important FIBA-sanctioned tournaments next month.

Angelo Kouame admits that he’s feeling the pressure of trying to succeed as naturalized player of Gilas Pilipinas like those who previously held those roles.

Just hours after President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law the documents, naturalized Filipino Angelo Kouame quickly turned to Twitter to express his short but meaningful message.

President Duterte has signed a law granting Philippine citizenship to basketball player Kakou Ange Franck Williams Kouame from Ivory Coast.

President Rodrigo Duterte approved the naturalization of Gilas Pilipinas player Angelo Kouame after the Chief Executive signed into law the papers that made the center eligible to play for the national team.

Ange Kouame is making sure that he’ll be ready to face South Korea’s Ricardo Ratliffe and Indonesia’s Lester Prosper in the event he makes his debut for Gilas Pilipinas as a naturalized player in next month’s FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in Pampanga.

Gilas Pilipinas program director Tab Baldwin said Ange Kouame certainly meets every criteria he believes when selecting a naturalized player.

The naturalization papers of Gilas Pilipinas recruit Angelo Kouame and Azkals player Bienve Marañon were both approved on the third and final reading of the Senate on Monday, March 15.

In a speech on Tuesday, March 2, Go expressed his intent to be a co-sponsor of the measure granting Filipino citizenship to the Ivorian big man that will enable him to play for the men's national basketball team in international competitions.

The naturalization process of the Ateneo center is part of Gilas Pilipinas' long-term program en route to the 2023 FIBA World Cup the country is co-hosting alongside Japan and Indonesia.

Kouame told members of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights that he envisions being in the Philippines beyond his desire to play for Gilas in international tournaments, particularly the third window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.

Soon-to-be naturalized player Angelo Kouame described coach Tab Baldwin and Kiefer Ravena as his biggest influencers during the training camp in the "Calambubble."

The Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights approved on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, the naturalization bills of Ateneo center Ange Kouame and United City striker Bienvenido Maranon.

The naturalization bid of Angelo Kouame at the House of Representatives took a big stride after House Bill No. 8632 was approved on the third and last reading Tuesday.