A MORE defined rule on naturalized players in the 3x3 meet of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games validates Ange Kouame’s eligibility to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas in the three-a-side event.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executive Director Erika Dy confirmed Kouame’s inclusion in the men’s 3x3 roster, which meant keeping him out for the 5-on-5 lineup of coach Norman Black.
The SBP official said Kouame qualified through the passport-only rule.
“Yung 3x3 kasi medyo mas malinaw sabi kasi nila that’s really FIBA rule, and we know the FIBA rules of 3x3 competition is very different from 5-on-5,” explained Dy.
“There (3x3) as long as you have your passport for at least two years, whether you’re naturalized or not, and that’s the requirement, then you will be allowed to play.”
Dy said 3x3 program director Ronnie Magsanoc already submitted the final list of the men’s team that included Kouame, Joseph Eriobu, Joseph Sefurifa, and Janrey Pasaol.
Kouame has also been listed as part of the long list of the 5-on-5 team earlier submitted by the SBP to the Thailand SEA Games Organizing Committee.
But confusion as to whether the host will follow the FIBA rule of acquiring a passport at 16-year of age or the passport-only rule for naturalized players surfaced just a week ago when a new handbook was handed out by the SEAGOC containing both ruling in two different paragraphs.
Kouame and fellow naturalized player Justin Brownlee would not qualify if the host will strictly follow the FIBA rule.
A clarification meeting among the competing countries is set on Nov. 26.
The 6-foot-11 Kouame, a former UAAP champion and MVP with the Ateneo Blue Eagles, is expected to anchor a Philippine side aching to regain the gold in the halfcourt event after settling for the silver medal against host Cambodia in the previous SEA Games held in Phnom Penh two years ago.
Ironically, Eriobu and Sedurifa were part of that unit that finished runner up in 2023.
The Philippines won the inaugural 3x3 gold when the sport was first played in the biennial meet in Manila six years ago behinda team backstopped by CJ Perez, Chris Newsome, Mo Tautuaa, and Jason Perkins.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
