A Man's Game

Two games in, and Ginebra is now just a victory away from turning what was once thought as a "passing of the torch" to promising Smart Gilas Pilipinas into a mismatch of manly proportions- figuratively and literally.

In the first game, Ginebra barely won all thanks to somewhat uncharacteristic botched free throws careof the boys in blue. In Game 2, despite the box score's 110-103 line, Ginebra showed just why the PBA is "where the best come to play."

From the get go, Ginebra played with more hunger and tenacity usually expected from guys like Mark Caguioa and Rudy Hatfield-- but this time, "Cool Cat" Mike Cortez joined the fray and played DLSU 2002 defense on his SG counterparts (high socks, Amboy swagger and all).

On the other end of the floor, Chris Tiu was fighting, but that's about it. Aldrech Ramos finally got out of Rajko Toroman's doghouse, but I still can't see why the Serbian insists on playing Japeth "all I want to do is dunk the basketball, shoot threes and nothing else" Aguilar at the four. At this point, I'd reach down deep and entrust the four spot to Greg Slaughter (who is just as raw as Aguilar, but not as soft and timid on defense).

In my opinion, Toroman needs to go with his best five in game three and let the dice roll. Tiu, Andy Barroca (who hasn't been playing well), Mac Barracael, Aldrech Ramos and Marcus Douthit need to play more. The rest can come in as subs. There's no other option now really, not if SG wants to salvage this series anyway.

Aguilar is an even worse basketball player than the 2004-2011 version of Marlou Aquino, and their much heralded Fil-Am pick-ups Lutz and Lassiter have been shown to be nothing but one-dimensional corner shooters who can't create their own shot let alone dribble through traffic.

Oh, and Nate Brumfield is playing out of his mind. 31 in Game 1, 45 in Game 2. Can't really blame Douthit here, since there's just no one on the Gilas roster from 1 to 12 who have the size of Brumfield. Hell, they don't even have anyone near Hatfield's muscle. And Eric Menk hasn't even suited up yet.