MANILA – Naturalized players Justin Brownlee and Angelo Kouame can play together for the Gilas Pilipinas in the 2023 Asian Games, according to the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).
Unlike in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup where only one naturalized player is allowed, POC president Abraham Tolentino said the two can play together as long as they have a Philippine passport.
“Both Brownlee and Kouame are eligible to play for Gilas Pilipinas in the Asian Games,” Tolentino said in a statement. “They only need to show a valid Philippine passport.”
However, Brownlee is doubtful to play for the Philippine team in Asiad because he is still recovering from an operation, according to assistant coach Joseph Uichico.
“He just got operated on and he is still a question, day-to-day,” Uichico said of the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings resident import in an interview with News5.
Kouame, on the other hand, is fit to play as he came from a stint with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters-Philippines in the 2023 William Jones Cup last month in Taipei, Taiwan.
Also listed in the provisional roster submitted by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, who is categorized as a naturalized player in FIBA tournaments.
Completing the Gilas team are Ilonggo Kiefer Ravena, Earl Scottie Thompson, Roger Pogoy, June Mar Fajardo, Jaymar Perez, Japeth Aguilar, Jamie Malonzo, Chris Newsome and Calvin Oftana.
Vincent “Chot” Reyes, who recently “stepped aside” for the national team, is still listed as the head coach with Earl Timothy Cone serving as his assistant.
The PBA along with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas are set to meet this Thursday to finalize and possibly make changes for the Gilas Pilipinas team in the Asiad./PN
