Ekwe on way to 2nd MVP plum

Unless he goes wayward again, San Beda’s Sam Ekwe is on his way to winning the NCAA’s MVP plum.

The Management Committee chaired by Ding Lozano of Mapua yesterday affirmed the new rule implemented only this year, stating a player could not win the MVP crown if his team fails to land in the Final Four.

This means San Sebastian beanpole Jason Ballesteros, who has led Ekwe in the MVP race after the 14-game elimination round, is out of it after the Stags failed to advance to the semis, finishing fifth.

The new ruling thus virtually gave the Nigerian behemoth his second MVP trophy.

Ekwe emerged the 2006 rookie MVP and could’ve won a second straight title if not for his disqualification after he kicked a Perpetual Help player last year, a no-no in the league. Mapua’s Kelvin dela Peña instead took the plum.

Now the trophy is back with Ekwe.

“As per our rules, no,” St. Benilde board representative Henry Atayde told The STAR when asked if Ballesteros is eligible for the award.

“Unless he hits or kicks anybody, its Ekwe,” he said.   – Joey Villar