ST. BENILDE IS CLOSE TO HANDING SAN Beda a first defeat. But it has absolutely nothing to do with the Blazers beating the Lions on the court.

A top NCAA official said San Beda could forfeit its 71-54 victory over St. Benilde if the Blazers? possible protest over Lions center Sam Ekwe?s alleged wearing of a wrong uniform in their game Friday is upheld by the league.

Ding Lozano, chair of the 84th NCAA management committee, said league rules state that players not wearing the proper uniform are not eligible to play and because Ekwe was fielded against the Blazers, the Lions could lose the match by technicality.

?This has happened in other events before,? Lozano told the Inquirer in a phone interview.

Lozano himself observed that there were four badges in front of Ekwe?s white San Beda jersey compared to his teammates? two, fueling speculations that he could have used the Lions? season 83 uniform.

Lozano added that the logo of San Beda?s corporate sponsor was stitched at the center of Ekwe?s jersey, while the ones on his teammates? uniforms were found on the side.

Officials of St. Benilde, who have until Tuesday to formalize their protest, will meet at 2 p.m. on Monday to discuss the merits of their case, the school?s representative to the NCAA, Henry Atayde, said.

Meanwhile, San Beda skipper Pong Escobal, the 6-foot guard from Davao City who averaged 17 points last week, was named the NCAA player of the week by journalists covering the beat.

?Pong (Escobal) is hitting some big shots for us,? said San Beda coach Frankie Lim. ?He?s our leader on the floor.?

?I owe whatever achievement I have to the team,? Escobal told the Inquirer.

In other sports, St. Benilde made quick work of San Beda, 25-14, 25-17, 25-14, yesterday to wrest a piece of the lead in the NCAA women?s volleyball tournament at the San Beda Gym.

The Red Lions, for their part, exacted revenge on the Blazers with a gripping 25-27, 25-16, 27-25, 25-27, 15-13 victory that also gave them the top spot in the men?s tournament.

The match was tied at 13 in the deciding set when the Blazers lost their composure as Jerome Sibal committed a service fault and Angelo Espiritu was forced to an attacking error, allowing the Lions to seal the win.

Cindy Vasquez produced 11 hits as the Lady Blazers seized their second win in as many starts, tying Perpetual Help at the helm.

In the other match, San Sebastian opened its title defense of the women?s crown with a stirring 25-13, 25-5, 25-12 win over Philippine Christian University.