With Ekwe, this could be the year of the Lions

Samuel Ekwe, a Nigerian center who packs his slam with power, is for real.

Ekwe made a big impression in his NCAA debut Saturday, powering San Beda to an 81-51 rout of Jose Rizal in the nightcap of a heavy four-game bill that ushered in Season 82 of the country’s oldest collegiate league at the Big Dome.

He highlighted his stint with a 10-point fourth quarter burst that included three rim-rattling dunks that drew cheers from the crowd.

The 21-year-old Ekwe, who actually plays soccer more than basketball, finished with 13 points, a game-high 13 rebounds and two assists in 19 minutes of action.

And that’s just his first game.

"He showed in this game that he can dominate," said San Beda coach Koy Banal of Ekwe, who hails from the place where former Houston Rocket Hakeem Olajuwon and ex-PBA import Julius Nwosu also came from.

San Beda hopes to ride on Ekwe’s shoulders as the Mendiola-based squad tries to finally end a title drought that stretches to almost three decades.

The last time the Red Lions reigned supreme in the league was in 1978 when the likes of Chito Loyzaga, JB Yango and Frankie Lim steered the team to the championship.

The closest San Beda could get to another title was in 1997 when it lost to the Rommel Adducul-led San Sebastian side in a heated finals confrontation that was marred by debris-pelting incidents.

It has been a struggle for San Beda since then.

With Ekwe and a dependable local crew led by Alex Angeles and Yousif Aljamal, things could work indeed for the Red Lions.

"Hopefully this is the year," said Fr. Bede Hechanova.

Also making an impressive showing was Mapua, which shocked last year‘s losing finalist Philippine Christian U, 47-42, to join San Beda, defending champion Letran and Perpetual Help atop the heap.