Who's next?

It's always an advantage when your line-up has two promising big men sitting on the bench and learning behind a solid naturalized post presence who just so happens to stand at least SIX inches taller than his rivals in the paint.

Smart Gilas Pilipinas now touts an unblemished 5-0 win loss slate, and has yet to be "tested" be it by the Philippine Basketball Association's pro teams' "BETTER style of play" or its fancied "physicality." Seriously, they have fought close matches, but even the game against Alaska was a wash when head coach Tim Cone opted to play his second unit instead of his usual Cyrus Baguio-L.A. Tenorio backcourt.

In last night's win over Rain or Shine, RoS head coach Yeng Guiao sat his import Hassan Adams-- who I guess still leads the race for best import based solely on him still being here, for LONG stretches, and even kept prized wards Ryan Arana, Gabe Norwood and Ronjay Buenafe at bay. They each had their moments, but nothing too meaningful to get any runs going.

Even during timeouts, Guiao looked like he was just going through the motions, calling plays like a robot instead of the typical tirade-filled YG timeouts we've all grown to love/hate.

"Gabe, this is you, *yawns* go here. Beau, this is you. Pick and roll. *sigh*"

Am I surprised that SG is dominating the PBA? No, not when the tallest guy that can match-up with SG center Marcus Douthit doesn't know how to play with his back to the basket (Tim Cone had it better with EJ Feihl) and is a 2nd string center for Alaska (Samigue Eman) and the two closest guys who can give Douthit a run for his money are on the tail end of their careers, subbing for one another at Meralco (6"9 behemoths Asi Taulava and the lackadaisical Marlou Aquino).

What I am surprised with, is of how poorly PBA teams have been playing. Yes, they do play, but either the coaches don't take SG games seriously and opt to field in experimental rotations OR the players simply want to trade punches with SG and never really win.

With RoS' loss, I am now putting all my money on Barangay Ginebra.

While they don't have the height to hang with SG, the Gin Kings have the tools (and attitude) to compete with the Philippine National Team.

IF head coach Jong Uichico opts to play his guys the right way and not give fans a half-assed unit that would feature youngsters JC Intal, John Wilson and Jimbo Aquino, then we could be treated to the best game of this conference.

You just know that Mark Caguioa and Ronald Tubid are too much of competitive jackasses to just roll over and die. Helterbrand, if healthy, is also a threat to compete hard if only to protect his "one of the best point guards in the PBA" title and remain in the Alapag-Tenorio discussion.

Rudy Hatfield, Willy Wilson and Eric Menk are old reliables, while Mike Cortez can (if he's into the game) stay in front of the slow-footed SG guards Chris Tiu and JV Casio. I don't know about Andy Barroca though.

Now, the culprit who we all just know would mess it up for Barangay Ginebra?

Willie Miller.

If he plays like the Miller that we all know, half-superstar, half-comedian, then we are screwed. If he plays with his "eyebrows crossed" then maybe he's interested enough to not lose the game given the showbiz-ness of the eyebrow gimmick.

I want to see Tubid guard Tiu for at least THIRTY minutes. Uichico, make it happen. Tiu and the rest of SG needs someone solid to play with. Someone who can get into their heads. Too bad this game won't happen this Sunday.

We, the PBA fans, need to see PASSION and COMPETITION. Not just crisp ball movement and execution.