Thoss stands tall as Alaska overcomes SMB, Williams

Sonny Thoss of Alaska (light) vs June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel (dark). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines — Alaska and San Miguel Beer are two of the teams parading former NBA veterans as their imports in the 2014 PBA Governors’ Cup.

But it was the reliable local Sonny Thoss stealing the spotlight in the Aces’ 94-87 win over the Beermen Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Henry Walker, who played for the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks during his stint in the NBA, led Alaska with 27 points while former Oklahoma City guard Reggie Williams shot the lights out with 42 points.

But the first words the came out Alaska head coach Luigi Trillo was “Sonny Thoss.”

“Sonny Thoss played his heart out. Very tough match up for him cause of June Mar Fajardo but he was that steady inside presence,” Trillo said.

Thoss flirted with a double-double scoring 18 points and grabbing nine rebounds to go along with four assists while going up against the six-foot-10 Fajardo.

“Just happy and proud of Sonny Thoss. He was the main reason. He was playing with a lot of fire and I think it rubbed off on Walker, on Calvin and on Gabby,” Trillo added.

The six-foot-six Williams, who wasn’t offered a second 10-day contract by the Thunder last April, carried the Beermen offensively scoring at least 10 points in the last three quarters.

The lefty Williams drilled in his seventh 3-pointer of the night that gave SMB an 87-86 edge with 4:45 left before the Beermen went scoreless for the remainder of the game.

Thoss put Alaska ahead for good, 89-87, with 2:14 remaining before a jumper by Calvin Abueva at the free throw line iced the game, 92-87, in the final 53.6 ticks.

“Nice to hold down San Miguel Beer to 87 points,” said Trillo. “They have a really good import in Reggie Williams. He made some fantastic shots.”

SMB scored just 17 points in the final frame after unleashing a 30-point third quarter where it took a 70-69 advantage.

Abueva was all over the floor to finish with 12 points and nine rebounds, seven of which came at the offensive glass while Gabby Espinas had 10 points and seven boards.

Fajardo added 13 points and a game-high 16 rebounds for San Miguel Beer which got dominated at the rebounding department, 45-56.

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