PBA: Sonny Thoss - To give and not to count the cost

To desire to be a champion is to know that sacrifices need to be made. For teams that have climbed to the apex in the PBA and have won championships, everyone has had to do their share for the greater good. With only two teams left to slug it out before we crown a new Commissioner’s Cup champion, we are slowly but surely seeing the efforts of both of these proud teams and their passionate fanbases pay off.

Alaska Aces’ center Sonny Thoss has had a tough conference manning the paint for his team. With steady averages of 8.6 points and 4.5 rebounds, Thoss has not contributed the usual monster numbers that are to be expected of the veteran pivotman.

And yet the Aces are in the Finals, up a game against Barangay Ginebra. The irony of it all? A major reason is because Sonny Thoss has quietly had one of his finest conferences in years.

[Related: Aces lean on defense as Alaska swallows Ginebra to take Game One]

Amidst all the talk about rookie Calvin Abueva’s frantic style of play, Rob Dozier’s candidacy as Best Import of the Conference or the evolution of Jvee Casio as Aces point guard of the future is Thoss’ emergence as one of the irreplaceable cogs of the best defensive team in the PBA.

The biggest (literally) luxury that Thoss has given Coach Luigi Trillo is the ability of Thoss to use his big frame to defend the imports of the Alaska Aces’ opponents throughout the season. Whether it was back to the basket monsters like Air21’s Michael Dunnigan or multi-faceted scorers like Denzel Bowles, Thoss’ combination of experience and skills have been invaluable through these playoffs.  

With Thoss shadowing the best scorers in the post, Aces import Robert Dozier has been free to prowl the lane and provide help defense on anyone who gets through his front court partner.  His efforts have contributed in creating a brickwall for opponents. Alaska has only given up an average of 75.8 points to opponents in the playoffs, lowest in the league, and have the best defensive rating of teams that made it to the semis at 91.5. Thus far, no team has been able to solve this.

The proof is in the results. After dominating the elimination round, Air21’s Dunnigan was hardly a factor, ending up with only 16 points on 10 field goal attempts. San Mig Coffee’s Bowles hardly fared better. Although he delivered the winning basket in the sole win of the Mixers in game one, the efficiency and effect of Bowles on his team was hardly on display throughout the series, as Thoss’ defense bothered him enough to end up with only 15 points on 36 percent shooting, a far cry from his monstrous averages of 31.6 points on 50 percent shooting in the quarters.

Entering the Finals against Barangay Ginebra, Alaska knew that it was absolutely crucial to try and contain Vernon Macklin, the high-impact scorer of Ginebra. Utilizing a combination of single coverage and frequent double and even triple teams, Thoss and rest of the Aces were able to do that, frustrating him and limiting his touches in the paint. He scored 16 markers on 6-of-9 shooting, but a lot of those were made when the outcome was already decided, and Ginebra was furiously trying to come back.

Thoss’ work on Macklin, denying him access to the paint and pushing him out of his comfort zone, was instrumental in allowing the Aces to defend the deadly shooters of the Barangay.

The sacrifice that Alaska has adopted, as seen in their hashtag #WeNotMe was on full display throughout the season in the form of Sonny Thoss. Thoss could easily ask for more touches in the paint, or more opportunities to score. but didn't. Going toe to toe with those warriors has also left a toll on his body, leaving his back and neck sore at multiple times this season.

But the championship is so tantalizingly close, that those desires and urges seem so trivial, so small. With a chance to bring a title to the franchise for the first time in three years, Thoss has surrendered all aspirations for individual glory for a chance to be part of a legacy that will last forever.

There is definitely work that still needs to be done. You know what they say about warriors that are backed into a corner. Barangay Ginebra is a group of proud warriors, and they have a proven track record of coming from behind in series. They will not repeat the mistakes they made in the first game. They will challenge and give the Aces everything they can handle.

Game 2, and the rest of the series will be a war. But the Aces can rest assured that Sonny Thoss will be there on the frontline, ready to sacrifice his all to try and achieve greatness that has eluded the Alaska Aces for far too long.

Like a boss. - AMD, GMA News