Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Sonny Thoss was dormant for the past two games Alaska played in the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup.
The 37-year-old center scored a total of 10 points with the Aces splitting their first two games but Thoss eventually showed his vintage form when he helped lead Alaska to a 103-101 win over Blackwater Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Thoss finished with 16 points, including a crucial jumper, that clinched the Aces’ second straight win of the season as they jumped to the sixth seed in the ladder.
“Coach (Alex Compton) just asked me to be aggressive, we had a size advantage, so I was just trying to make myself available inside and give the team a chance,” said Thoss, who also grabbed five rebounds, Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
“I appreciate the guys actually looking inside too.”
The Aces still miss starters Vic Manuel, JVee Casio, and Kevin Racal due to injuries while Simon Enciso and rookie GBoy Babilonia are also sidelined.
Thoss, however, took it upon himself to be that man in the middle for the Aces especially with Blackwater not having a legitimate center underneath.
Blackwater’s biggest player was 6-foot-5 rookie Abu Tratter and although he’s only two inches shorter than Thoss he mostly plays power forward since his college days at De La Salle.
Thoss wasn’t just instrumental in the early stages of the game, he was also there in the clutch when the Aces needed him.
Holding on to a 101-100 lead in the final minute of the game, Thoss squared up from the free throw line and calmly drained a jumper off of Chris Banchero’s assist with 34.3 seconds remaining.
“It was a great team effort, everybody stepped up, and we needed it,” said Thoss, who was just one of the five Aces who finished in double figures. “We’re short on guys so it gives an opportunity for other players to step up and play.”