MANILA – Gilas Pilipinas will be without two key players for its two-game series against South Korea in Gyeonggi-Do on June 18 and 19.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) announced on Wednesday that center Ange Kouame and swingman Dave Ildefonso have suffered various injuries and will not be joining Gilas in the friendly series.
According to the SBP, Kouame, Gilas' designated naturalized player, was diagnosed with a meniscal sprain and a partial ACL tear.
On the other hand, Ildefonso suffered an ankle injury.
"We wish Ange and Dave all the best in their recovery," the SBP said in a statement.
This leaves Gilas with only 10 players against South Korea, namely Rhenz Abando, RJ Abarrientos, SJ Belangel, Geo Chiu, LeBron Lopez, Will Navarro, Kevin Quiambao, Kiefer Ravena, Dwight Ramos, and Carl Tamayo.
The SBP also announced that the extent of Kouame's injury makes him doubtful for Gilas' campaign in the mid-year window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
"The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is exhausting all options, including looking for a replacement and securing a New Zealand visa for the game on June 30," the SBP said.
Gilas will travel to Auckland to play New Zealand before hosting India on July 3 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. (PNA)
