SONNY Thoss welcomed the presence of import Cory Jefferson in Alaska's frontcourt, especially with Vic Manuel still likely out for a few more games due to a sprain.
The veteran center scored in double figures for the second straight game as the Aces pulled through with a 109-95 rout of Blackwater for a 2-0 start in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday night.
Thoss said he is merely feeding off the 6-foo-9 Jefferson.
“He’s a big boy,” he said of the 26-year-old NBA veteran. “He gives me more confidence to be aggressive also.”
The resident Alaska center finished with 10 points and seven rebounds to complement Jefferson's 28-point, 15-rebound performance for the Aces.
“He only had few practices with us, but he shows the sky’s the limit. We try to maximize everything with him,” Thoss said of Jefferson, who had stints with the Brooklyn Nets and the Phoenix Suns.
“He’s a great guy. He plays inside and can play outside. He still has a lot of work to do and hopefully, he works hard for the rest of the season.”
[See Jefferson continues to impress as Alaska cruises past Blackwater]
Thoss also made his mark on defense against Blackwater import Greg Smith, who fouled out midway through the fourth period when the Elite were in the middle of a comeback from a 72-51 deficit.
“Obviously, it was a big deal that Sonny was able to get him into foul trouble and attack him in the post,” said coach Alex Compton. “That’s the benefit for us in having Sonny.”
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
