The said unfortunate event was shared by the SBP after Kouame had been suffering from pain in his knees, and decided to go for a check-up; where the naturalized center learned that he has a partial ACL tear.

As a consequence, Gilas will have to continue their tuneup games against Korea this week without Kouame and possibly, the third window of the 2023 Fiba World Cup Asian qualifiers without the presence of the Ateneo-breed cager.

“Gilas Pilipinas Men starting center Ange Kouame has been diagnosed with a meniscal sprain and a partial ACL tear,” the SBP said on its website.

“Due to this unfortunate development, the 6-foot-10 player will not be able to join Gilas in the friendlies against Korea and is doubtful for the third window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 – Asian Qualifiers and the FIBA Asia Cup 2022.”

Guard Dave Ildefonso will not also join Gilas in the exhibition games in South Korea due to an ankle injury.

Initially, Kouame and Ildefonso were supposed to be part of the 12-man roster for the exhibition games against Korea on June 17 and 18 in Anyang in preparation for the continental match, but the club had to deal with their absence.

Currently, SBP is trying to find a replacement for Kouame for the June 30 clash with New Zealand.