Suddenly, and with good reason, San Miguel Beer is now having second thoughts as far as Josh Boone is concerned.

Which team wouldn’t, especially if the man shoots 32 points, collars 21 rebounds and blocks two shots while providing a lot of the intangibles that have been critical in the Beermen’s second straight victory in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Boone let it all hang out for the second straight game, again leading the Beermen on both ends in a 112-98 shellacking of Barangay Ginebra that kept San Miguel perfect in the elimination round at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

And after making up their minds despite a winning debut last Friday, San Miguel coaching staff admitted to be facing “a big problem.”

“We have a big problem ahead of us, but it’s a good problem,” Biboy Ravanes, listed as the head coach of the Beermen, told reporters shortly afterwards. “Josh has been very professional and we will deliberate (on his status).”

After being very unimpressive in the off-season, Boone, who started one full season for the New Jersey Nets in the NBA a couple of years back, has suddenly blossomed into one of the yardsticks in the tournament after his great effort on Sunday night.

“I can’t say enough about his (Boone’s) professionalism, even if he knows that he is in an adverse situation,” Todd Purves, the first head coach who makes most of the game decisions, said.

Purves was very careful in fielding questions of reporters if they had made up their mind about Boone since his replacement, Kevin Jones, is already in the country and ready to play in the next San Miguel game.

“He had a good game tonight and he is professional beyond belief,” Purves said when pressed for an answer. “I will speak with management tonight and everyone (in the media) will be informed of the direction we (San Miguel) will take.”

Reigning MVP Arwind Santos scored 18 points and new acquisition Sol Mercado tossed in 14. Marcio Lassiter scattered 15 points with Chris Ross, who celebrated his birthday yesterday, started out at the point and finished with seven points and six assists.

San Miguel took control early and never let up, building double digit leads right in the first period.

The Beermen were threatened only at the start of the fourth – when Boone cooled his heels on the bench – as the Gin Kings, who dropped to 1-1 with the loss, came to within 72-80 after a Japeth Aguilar basket.

But Boone returned and quickly restored order on the San Miguel offense, spearheading the Beermen back to a 17-point advantage to take the air out of Ginebra’s sails and will pulling away for the second straight time.

Meanwhile, Barako Bull also had a one-man wrecking crew against Rain or Shine in the first game as Josh Dollard scored 44 points in a 110-106 upset of the Elasto Painters.

Willie Miller, a former two-time MVP, came up with his best offensive performance in quite a while and shot 19 points with Dennis Miranda and Ronjay Buenafe combining for another 24 markers for the Energy, who rose to 1-1.

The Painters, who finished second to San Mig Coffee in the Philippine Cup just two weeks ago, were led by the 21 points of import Alexander McClean.

Rain or Shine actually had a 16-point lead in the second quarter only to fall apart in the second half.