Alaska head coach Alex Compton was all praise for Sonny Thoss, as the veteran center stepped up big time in the Aces’ escape act versus the hungry Blackwater Elite, Wednesday evening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The 37-year-old product of James Cook College finished with 16 points. He also made the cold-blooded jumper with 34 seconds left, to help Alaska earn a 103-101 win for their second straight victory.
The Aces climb up to sixth in the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup standings.
Thoss’s scoring – his highest in the last three conferences, as per the league’s stats chief Fidel Mangomon – is a welcome boost for the Aces. Their key pieces such as Vic Manuel and Jvee Casio have yet to return from injuries.
“Sonny was awesome all game. So nice to see for us. I told you last game, I thought it was the best game I’ve seen him play in a long time, and he only scored four,” said Compton, recalling last week’s match with the Columbian Dyip.
“And his level of activity – you know, I retired when I was thirty-four. I don’t know how this thirty-seven-year-old, six-eight guy does it. But his level of activity today was tremendous.”
On the other hand, Thoss said that he had simply done as he was asked: be aggressive.
“Coach 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 the 15-year veteran.
“I appreciate the guys actually looking inside too.”
But the Aces’ elder statesman did not take all the limelight onto himself. Instead, he tipped his hat to the Milkmen who stepped up, such as Carl Cruz (18 points, 4-of-8 from beyond the arc) and Chris Banchero (11 points, 16 assists).
“But then Banchero was being aggressive too, he had 16 assists I think. CBC hit some big shots in the end. So it was a great team effort. Everybody stepped up. We needed it,” said Thoss, the Aces’ fifth pick in the 2004 Draft.
“We’re short on guy, so it gives an opportunity for other players to step up and play.”
