Ange Kouame back in Gilas pool for FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers

Metro Manila, Philippines — Ange Kouame has been named as one of the players included in the Gilas Pilipinas pool for the second window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.

The former Ateneo big man is expected to share the naturalized players duties with Justin Brownlee as the Philippines battles New Zealand on Nov. 21 and Hong Kong on Nov. 24 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

With Kouame in tow, Gilas head coach Tim Cone will have an option to rest Brownlee — who is coming off a grueling finals series with Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup — in one of the two qualifying matches.

Under FIBA rules, a country can choose which naturalized player to field for each of the two games in the window.

Kouame last played for Gilas in last year's Asian Games, where the national squad captured the gold in the men's 5x5 basketball in Hangzhou, China.

The other players announced by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas on Monday in the pool are Japeth Aguilar, Mason Amos, AJ Edu, June Mar Fajardo, Jamie Malonzo, Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, CJ Perz, Kevin Quiambao, Dwight Ramos, Kai Sotto, Carl Tamayo, and Scottie Thompson.

Malonzo will likely be out as he is still recovering from a calf injury.

Gilas currently holds the top spot in Group B of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers with a 2-0 win-loss record.