Sonny Thoss may have just scored 11 markers, but in the eyes of Alaska Aces head coach Alex Compton, the 35-year-old “played like an import” during the game’s crucial stretch.
“Sonny came in and asserted himself. He played like an import,” said Compton moments after the Aces’ 98-92 victory over the Mahindra Floodbuster Wednesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Compton was referring to a particular span in the game’s payoff period. With Cory Jefferson gassed with 4:15 left and Thoss remaining on the floor, the 6-foot-7 big man filled the void and displayed his veteran smarts.
With Mahindra knocking within five, 87-82, from an 18-point deficit, Thoss served as their antagonist. He scored six — off a jumper, a pair of free throws, and the closing lay-up — in the Aces’ 10-0 run, which shut the door down for a Floodbuster comeback.
And with this outing of the 12-year-veteran, Compton has nothing but praises for his prized veteran.
“When we sat out Cory, Sonny really showed up,” said Compton.
But for Thoss, he believes that he simply did his part for his team, saying that he had been able to conserve energy while on the bench, and that it helped him play way better.
“I just tried to give whatever I can to the team. I was resting most of the game.
“I was in and out so I had a little energy, so I tried to be aggressive and tried to take advantage of the opportunity,” added Thoss, who played 17 minutes.
On the defensive side, Thoss was once again given the task to defend the opposition’s foreign reinforcement. This time, he went up against James White, whom he describes as “athletic” and “hard to guard”.
White finished with 30 points and 14 rebounds, but Thoss was able to stand his ground once more, this time against the 6-foot-8, 23-year-old reinforcement. For Thoss, though, the credit should not only be for him, but also for his teammates.
“I just tried to do what I can, I know my teammates are behind me. You know, team defense,” he shared.
Despite the commendable effort he put in, Thoss was still dissatisfied with the way his Aces had finished the game. They once led by as much as 18, only to find themselves having to exert more effort to stave off Mahindra in the fourth.
“Just like what happened in the end of the game, we finished soft.
“They were pressuring us we turned the ball over. We gave them opportunities to attack,” lamented Thoss.
But still, Alaska won in the end. And they are now sharing the top spot with a 3-0 card similar to Rain or Shine and Meralco. However, the former National Team cager does not want the Aces to rest on their laurels yet.
“It’s good to be up but it’s still early. Anything can happen we just have to stay humble, grounded and focused,” Thoss pointed out.
