MANILA – Ateneo center Ange Kouame has been granted Filipino citizenship through naturalization, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio said on Tuesday.

“The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is elated to announce that Angelo Kouame’s Filipino naturalization is now official. The SBP extends our appreciation to President Rodrigo Duterte for signing it into law and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Senator Bong Go for their assistance,” Panlilio said.

He also thanked Senator Sonny Angara, who is also the SBP chairman, and Congressman Robbie Puno, also the SBP vice chairman, for authoring the legislative bills pushing for Kouame’s naturalization.

Panlilio also thanked Senators Joel Villanueva and Dick Gordon for joining Angara in making the Senate bill possible.

“The SBP thanks all our allies in both houses whose support has been crucial in pushing this legislation to further strengthen our Gilas Pilipinas Men,” Panlilio said.

He said Kouame is now working on what is left to be done for FIBA to clear him for Gilas’ upcoming tournaments.

“We are confident that he’ll be able to play during our hosting of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers and the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Serbia,” Panlilio said.

He said the more important thing, however, is to have Kouame on board for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, which the Philippines will co-host with Indonesia and Japan.

“Although Kouame’s presence is crucial for these two tournaments, having him as an official member of the squad in the upcoming games is an early investment as we build towards the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup,” he said.

He said Kouame’s naturalization is a highlight of “a great day for Philippine basketball.”

“We’re thankful for the full support of our basketball community,” Panlilio added. (PNA)