BY CHRISTINE MONCADA

LIGHTNING struck San Beda twice on Wednesday.

Hours after absorbing a shock 74-79 defeat to Jose Rizal University, the three-peat seeking Red Lions absorbed another setback, this time in the boardroom, after the NCAA Management Committee upheld St. Benilde’s protest over their game last week.

That meant two losses in a day for San Beda, which slipped from a share of the lead to joint third at 4-2.

The Red Lions trounced the Blazers 74-51 last Friday at the Astrodome but the Blazers put the game under protest, saying Nigerian center Sam Ekwe played "with a wrong uniform." Ekwe played wearing the previous season’s jersey because his uniform this season was stolen.

"Based on the facts presented by both protestor and San Beda, it’s established that league rules have been infringed," ManCom chairman Ding Lozano of host school Mapua Institute of Technology said in a statement sent to media offices yesterday.

"The ManCom thus upheld CSB’s protest and results of the said game will be duly adjusted," Lozano added.

The decision left San Beda trying to keep focused on winning games on the court, with school officials Kurt de Guzman and Mari Lacson now looking forward to the next games.

"I’m not surprised; after all there really was an infraction. I guess we just have to be more careful next time. But all what we can do now is to try to win the championship in the hardcourt," said Lacson.

Meanwhile, the Heavy Bombers try to continue their winning ways against fancied foes when they battle the Cardinals of Mapua today at the Astrodome.

After dropping their first two assignments, the Heavy Bombers racked up three straight victories, including a 79-74 win over defending champion and erstwhile unbeaten San Beda on Wednesday.

The win earned them solo fourth spot at 3-2, behind third-running Mapua (4-2).

St. Benilde, with an even 3-3 card after its protest against San Beda was upheld by the league, takes San Sebastian in the other game.

Mapua has emerged as one of the favorites in the eight-team league by vaulting to the top half of the leaderboard early, rolling to a four-game win streak that was snapped only recently by powerhouse Letran 60-67.

"Winning against San Beda helped a lot to boost the boys’ confidence but Mapua is a totally different team. We’re very happy with our recent victory but we have to remain focused," said JRU coach Ariel Vanguardia.