As the elder statesman for his team, Sonny Thoss showed the way for the Alaska Aces on Friday evening.
Needing to reign victorious in order to punch the last ticket to the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals, Thoss made 21 points on an impressive 10-of-14 shooting to lead his side to an 88-80 win over the NLEX Road Warriors.
“Sonny was great today.
“We’ve actually found what the great Ponce de Léon was looking for in Florida – the Fountain of Youth. So we bottled it, given it to Sonny, and that’s what he’s been drinking in practice. And he’s invigorated,” quipped Compton.
“So he’s turned back the clock this conference about ten years. He’s been great, he’s been active, he’s been asserting himself,” he added.
On the other hand, Thoss attributed his outing to sheer luck. He added that their win – which propelled them to the quarters – was largely down to their defense; the Aces only allowed NLEX to shoot 30 percent and forced them to 22 errors.
“First of all, it was a great team effort on defense. My scoring, I got lucky with my shots going in. But defensively, we did a good job as a team, so that was the main positive there,” said Thoss, who also tallied a steal and a block.
“Just trying to be aggressive. It’s working my way at the moment. But you know, at the end of the day we still have to lock down on defense.“
But the 6-foot-7 big man tipped his hat to the Aces’ coaches and medical staff for helping him play at such a high level even if he’s the oldest player among the Milkmen. Thoss has been in the PBA and with the franchise since 2004.
“Just trying to take care of my body, you know. I’m grateful for the medical staff; they’ve been working with me, trying to get my knee and my back better. I guess that’s been helping a lot so credit to them,” said the 12-time All-Star.
Now, Thoss and the Aces have their sights locked on Phoenix, who dealt them an 80-94 beating in their elimination round encounter last March 1. And for Thoss, defense will be their weapon as they aim to extend their conference.
“That’s a tough series right there. But for the first game, we gotta get ready or else we’re done. Defensive mindset, that’s the main thing coming in.”
