Nigerian giant suiting up for Magnolia five?

Power-slamming Nigerian behemoth Samuel Ekwe could bring his act to the Philippine Basketball League.

Ekwe, San Beda’s top rookie and Most Valuable Player awardee in the recent NCAA 82nd NCAA season, will reportedly be allowed to suit up for Magnolia Dairy Ice Cream in the PBL Silver Cup starting Nov. 11.

The Spinners took in the core of the San Beda Red Lions after the Far Eastern Tamaraws disbanded following their disappointing stint in the 69th UAAP season.

Magnolia also enlisted Alex Angeles, Ogie Menor, John Paul Escobal, Riego Gamalinda, Kevin Ray Espinosa, Mikah Evangelista, Kris Taupa, Ed Tecson and Jay-R Taganas, and possibly, the 6-foot-9 Ekwe.

"The board still has to receive a request from Magnolia, but we see no objections," said a PBL official close to commissioner Chino Trinidad.

If ever Ekwe suits up for the Spinners, he would easily fit into the system that has lost the frontline troika of Kelly Williams, Arwind Santos and Mark Isip to the pro league.

"Yes, I think I’ll play," said Ekwe, who came from Lagos to study in the country.

Magnolia is also reportedly trying to acquire 2006 NCAA Finals MVP Yousif Aljamal, also of San Beda, from Sista, formerly Rain or Shine.

The Spinners, who came back from a 0-2 deficit to snatch the title from the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters last year, are hoping the entry of the Red Lions could put in the final pieces of their rebuilding scheme.

Last week, the San Miguel Corp.-owned franchise took in FEU stalwart Jonas Villanueva and University of the East standout Bon Bon Custodio as its rookie picks to join another FEU gunner Jeff Chan in the fold.

Koy Banal, who coached the Lions to this year’s NCAA crown and the Tams to the 2003 UAAP championships, will coach the Spinners. — Joey Villar