THE Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) hopes Congress would act swiftly on the naturalization Kakou Ange Franck Williams Kouame so he would be available when the men’s national basketball team vies in the third window of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asian Qualifiers 2021 in February.
Antipolo City First District Rep. Roberto “Robbie” Puno said the House Justice Committee has already approved the 6-foot-10 Ivorian’s naturalization in the first reading.
“That’s what we’re trying to do, hopefully make him [Kouame] available in the FIBA Asian qualifiers by the February third window. But the question is can we do it? So we will try,” Puno told BusinessMirror on Wednesday. “We’ll be back by mid-January so we still have one month. Maybe we can still make it.”
Puno said that House Bill No. 5951 on the naturalization of Kouame still needs to undergo a second and third reading in the plenary to secure the full approval of Congress,
Sen. Sonny Angara is doing his share through his No. 1892 which he filed last October 25.
Angara is the currently the SBP chairman while Puno is the vice chairman.
If both chambers of Congress approves Kouame’s naturalization, the bills would only need President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature for him to join Gilas Pilipinas.
The 23-year-old Kouame was the University Athletic Association of the Philippines top rookie in 2018. He averaged of 12.5 points, 14 rebounds and 5.5 blocks last season when he helped the Ateneo Blue Eagles to their third straight men’s basketball crown in the league.
Image credits: Contributed photo