Gilas five off for Lithuania

The China trip for treatment of Sonny Thoss and Calvin Abueva will greatly hamper their chances of joining the Gilas-Pilipinas team that will shoot for a World Championship berth in the Fiba-Asia qualifying tournament in Manila in August.

Thoss and Abueva, vital cogs in the Alaska Aces’ triumphant PBA Commissioner’s Cup campaign, have already missed the Gilas five’s training camp in Lithuania with both set to leave for China on June 6.

The Nationals flew to the former Soviet republic yesterday and will be there for two weeks mainly for bonding purposes.

Thoss was named to the original 17-man pool by coach Chot Reyes but sustained a back injury during the course of the PBA season. Alaska management said Thoss will be available to the National squad after his treatment and the team’s vacation in the United States.

Abueva, the leading candidate for the PBA Rookie of the Year award, also needs treatment for a hurting  left knee. He and Thoss will be treated for at least two weeks at the Sino-Japanese Friendship Hospital in Beijing.

The Fiba-Asia tournament is set on Aug. 1-11 at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

Alaska is set to leave for Los Angeles, California, on July 15 and will be back on the 23rd. The trip is part of  its prize from management for winning the Commissioner’s Cup via a sweep of Barangay Ginebra.

Thoss, named the Commissioner’s Cup Finals MVP, showed up at the Gilas practice last Wednesday and Thursday at the San Juan Arena and Reyes was ecstatic at what he saw. “It was a hard practice and Sonny was outstanding,” said Reyes, who has been jarred by Alaska’s decision not to allow the two to join the Gilas squad in Lithuania. Alaska team owner Fred Uytengsu earlier said Thoss “is going to be there.” Steve Silva, Contributor