WITH the New Year festivities already over, Sonny Thoss expects Alaska to get back its focus on the task at hand as the Aces try to nail the remaining finals berth of the PBA Philippine Cup.
The 6-foot-7 Thoss has been delivering consistent numbers in the best-of-seven semifinals series against Rain or Shine, averaging 12.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists.
He hopes to maintain the numbers in Game Six Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena when the Aces eye to finish off the embattled Elasto Painters.
Alaska leads the series, 3-2, going into the holiday break.
But Thoss hopes the holiday season didn’t affect much the team’s momentum as he persuades the rest of the Aces to maintain their discipline and intensity in their bid of returning to the big stage since winning the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup title.
“We have to refocus on Game Six because as much as we want to enjoy this (Holiday season), there’s no time to rest. We have to be disciplined and stay focus because we know they’ll (Elasto Painters) come out fired up,” Thoss told Spin.ph.
Although the 33-year-old big man out of James Cook University has been playing solid on both ends of the floor throughout the series, the soft-spoken Alaska center isn’t about to claim all the credit.
Thoss also cites the off-the-bench-energy that Eric Menk is providing for Alaska, leading to the team’s huge +12 in rebounds advantage against Rain or Shine.
“He’s (Menk) coming in solid and bringing quality minutes for the team. We appreciate his presence in the game,” added Thoss.
Menk banged in seven points and added seven boards in Alaska’s 93-88 victory in Game Five just before the New Year break.
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